Two Men Charged Following Koran Burning and Knife Attack Outside Turkish Consulate in London

A man accused of burning the Koran and another charged with attacking him have both been released on bail after appearing in court.

Hamit Coskun, 50, from Derby, has been charged with a religiously aggravated public order offence for allegedly burning a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge, London.
Social media footage shows Coskun burning the book before being attacked by a man wielding a knife, who kicked him and slashed toward him.
Moussa Kadri, 59, from Kensington and Chelsea, has been charged with causing actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in connection to the attack.
Both men appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, with Coskun released on conditional bail pending a trial on May 28, and Kadri scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The incident has drawn attention to broader debates about free expression in Europe, with some critics warning of the potential for reintroducing blasphemy laws.