Overview

• Hamit Coskun, 50, is accused of burning a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London in February 2025 as a form of political protest.
• The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) amended the original charge, removing references to the 'religious institution of Islam,' which critics argued resembled a blasphemy law.
• Coskun now faces a charge of disorderly behaviour motivated by hostility toward followers of Islam, with allegations that his actions caused harassment, alarm, or distress.
• The UK government and legal advocates have reaffirmed their commitment to free expression, emphasizing that blasphemy laws will not be reintroduced.
• Coskun remains on conditional bail, with a trial date set for May 28, 2025, as debates continue over the balance between free speech and protections against religious harassment.