Britain appears to be inching closer to a controversial legal landscape reminiscent of blasphemy laws, as evidenced by a recent case involving a Quran being burned outside the Turkish consulate in London.
The Spectator magazine reports:
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and District Judge John McGarva have collaborated in prosecuting an individual for a “religiously aggravated public order offence” after he set fire to a Quran outside the Turkish diplomatic mission. This prosecution raises significant concerns as it conflates the religious institution of Islam with individual Muslims, effectively enabling a form of state-enforced blasphemy.
The National Secular Society has criticized this development, highlighting it as a disturbing shift in public order laws towards a proxy for blasphemy regulations.
The individual in question, Hamit Coskun, faced an assault from Moussa Kadri while conducting his protest, with Kadri subsequently pleading guilty to the attack. Coskun’s initial charge stemmed from an alleged intent to cause harassment, alarm, or distress regarding the religious institution of Islam.
During the sentencing, Judge McGarva, noted for his left-leaning views, characterized Coskun’s actions as “provocative and taunting,” suggesting a deep-seated animosity toward both Islam and its followers.
HELP US OPPOSE THE BACKDOOR BLASPHEMY LAW!
A Turkish political refugee has been convicted of a criminal offence in Britain for burning a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish Consulate in London. The Free Speech Union (FSU) funded his defence. Now we need your help to fund… pic.twitter.com/Brzk4mqWqb
— The Free Speech Union (@SpeechUnion) June 2, 2025
“It’s not possible to separate your views about the religion from your views about the followers,” declared McGarva, reinforcing the connection between religious critique and personal sentiment.
He added, “Your actions in burning the Quran were highly provocative, and they were motivated at least in part by hatred of followers of the religion.” Coskun was subsequently fined £240 ($325) plus a statutory surcharge of £96 ($130).
According to the BBC, Coskun condemned his conviction as an infringement on free speech, warning that such legal precedents could deter others from exercising their democratic rights. He has expressed his intent to appeal the ruling.
In a statement reflecting on the implications of this case, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch warned that the establishment of such laws could lead Britain down a perilous path. “This case should go to appeal,” she asserted. “Freedom of belief, and freedom not to believe, are inalienable rights in Britain.”
De facto blasphemy laws will set this country on the road to ruin.
This case should go to appeal. Freedom of belief, and freedom not to believe, are inalienable rights in Britain.
As I said in this interview, I’ll defend those rights to my dying day. https://t.co/PScT7xLJ9n pic.twitter.com/5ek9tYwWqv
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) June 2, 2025
