Overview

• The appeal opened on Thursday, with Hamit Coskun arguing his Koran-burning outside Turkey’s London consulate was protected political and religious criticism under Article 10.
• Prosecutor Philip McGhee said the conduct was at least partly driven by hostility toward Muslims, citing Coskun’s prior posts and his statements to police, and argued it was disorderly given the circumstances.
• Mr Justice Bennathan noted the distinction between offensive speech and criminality and said he will deliver his decision on Friday.
• Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick attended to support Coskun’s case, saying he does not believe the act should be treated as a crime.
• Coskun was convicted in June of a religiously aggravated public order offence and fined £240, and his appeal is funded by the National Secular Society and the Free Speech Union as ministers reiterate the UK has no blasphemy laws.