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Man wins appeal over conviction for burning Koran outside London's Turkish consulate
The court ruled that burning the Koran was lawful political speech protected by free expression rights, overturning a conviction seen as a disguised blasphemy law, campaigners said.
- A British court has overturned Hamit Coskun's conviction for burning a Quran, stating that freedom of expression includes offensive views, as ruled by Mr. Justice Bennathan on October 10, 2025.
- Mr. Justice Bennathan stated, 'Criminal law does not seek to avoid people being upset, even grievously upset.'
- The Free Speech Union noted that allowing the conviction to stand would have effectively reinstated blasphemy laws in Britain, which Parliament has sought to avoid since its abolition.
- Coskun expressed gratitude, stating he came to England for the freedom to speak on 'the dangers of radical Islam' and now felt reassured about voicing his beliefs.
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Man wins appeal over conviction for burning Koran outside London's Turkish consulate
A man found guilty of committing a religiously aggravated public order offence by setting fire to a copy of the Koran outside London's Turkish consulate had his conviction overturned on Friday in what supporters said was a victory for free speech.
·United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources39
Leaning Left6Leaning Right13Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Right
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Right
43% Right
L 20%
C 37%
R 43%
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