Overview

• Hamit Coskun was convicted in June 2025 of a religiously aggravated public order offence for setting fire to a Qur’an outside London’s Turkish consulate and fined £240 plus a £96 surcharge.
• District Judge John McGarva ruled the protest was “highly provocative” and partly driven by hatred of Muslims.
• The Free Speech Union and National Secular Society announced an appeal against the conviction, framing it as a threat to free expression.
• Critics warn the verdict amounts to a backdoor revival of blasphemy laws repealed in Britain in 2008 and could deepen perceptions of religious bias.
• The case adds to growing European controversy over Qur’an burnings, recalling violent reactions in Sweden and recent Danish legislation banning text desecration.