Man who burned Koran wins appeal

CAMPAIGNERS have hailed a successful appeal against the conviction of a man who burned a Koran in London as “an important victory for freedom of expression”.

- AINE FOX AND MATHILDE GRANDJEAN

Hamit Coskun was found guilty earlier this year of a religiously aggravated public order offence having shouted offensively about Islamic while holding the flaming religious text aloft outside the Turkish consulate in England’s capital city in February.

But, backed by free speech campaigners, the 51-year-old has had his conviction overturned, with a judge finding in his favour at Southwark Crown Court on Friday.

Mr Justice Bennathan said while burning a book of such religious importance might be something “many Muslims find desperately upsetting and offensive’, the right to freedom of expression “must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb”.

Campaigners, as well as Conservative MP Robert Jenrick, had argued Mr Coskun’s prosecution had been an attempt to bring back blasphemy law “by the back door”.