Key Highlights
- CPS appeals against Hamit Coskun’s acquittal for burning a Quran outside the Turkish embassy.
- The High Court is set to decide whether burning books in central London can be considered public disorder.
- Tensions rise as the Trump administration considers granting refugee status to Coskun, an atheist who claims Islamic extremists destroyed his family’s life.
Hamit Coskun and the Quran Burning Controversy
Coskun, a half-Kurdish and half-Armenian man born in Turkey, was convicted of burning a Quran during a protest at the Turkish embassy. The incident took place on February 13, 2025, in Knightsbridge, London.
Background and Legal Battle
Burning books in central London is not an “intrinsic” public disorder, as CPS argues in its appeal against Coskun’s acquittal. The Crown Prosecution Service claims that the act of burning a holy text, combined with offensive language, constitutes disorderly behavior.
Free Speech and Religious Sensitivity
David Perry KC from the CPS states, “Burning books in central London is inherently disorderly, especially when it involves religious texts. The abusive language further escalates this into a more serious offense.” Meanwhile, Tim Owen KC on behalf of Coskun argues that such conduct cannot be deemed per se disorderly without precedent.
US Presidential Ambitions and Refugee Status
Coskun seeks asylum in the UK, citing Islamic extremists as the reason his family faced destruction. He believes he could find refuge in the United States under President Trump’s policies, which he sees as supportive of free speech against extremism.
You might think this is new, but… this case has been watched closely by senior officials in the US administration. The outcome could set a precedent for future religiously charged protests and their legal implications.
