Atheist Convicted for Burning Quran Outside Turkish Consulate in London
A 50-year-old man has been convicted of a public order offense that was aggravated by religious factors after he burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London. During the incident in Knightsbridge earlier this year, the defendant, Hamit Coskun, shouted inflammatory remarks aimed at Islam while igniting the holy text.
Court Ruling and Imposed Fines
District Judge John McGarva determined that Coskun’s actions were motivated at least partly by hostility towards Muslims. The judge stressed that the behavior—burning the Quran amid deliberately abusive language—was highly provocative and did not fall under the protections of the European Convention on Human Rights. Consequently, Coskun was fined £240 along with a statutory surcharge of £96.
Details of the Incident
On the day in question, Coskun deliberately staged a demonstration outside the consulate. In addition to setting the Quran on fire, he repeatedly declared that “the Quran is burning,” using offensive language designed to attack Islam. This display not only incited anger among those present but also led to two assaults on the defendant, underscoring the serious public disorder his actions provoked.
Defendant’s Justification and Continuing Controversy
Coskun argued that his act was an exercise of his freedom of speech, claiming that it represented a form of protest. However, the court rejected this defense, emphasizing that his conduct reflected a deep-seated animosity toward Islam and its followers. Supported by groups that assert the right to free expression, Coskun maintained that he would have faced no repercussions if his actions had involved another religious text. Despite these arguments, the court’s verdict affirms that the deliberate provocation led to an unacceptable escalation of public disorder.
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