In R v Hamit Coskun [2025] Southwark Crown Court 10 October, Mr Coskun appealed against his conviction for an offence under s.5 Public Order Act 1986, enhanced by the aggravation provisions of s.31 Crime and Disorder Act 1998: setting fire to a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London. The appeal was heard by Bennathan J, sitting with two lay magistrates.

Background

Mr Coskun is a Turkish national and an asylum seeker [21]. On 13 February 2025, he set fire to a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London, shouting, “Koran is burning”, “Fuck Islam”, and “Islam is the religion of terrorism” [1, 21 & 22] and was attacked by Moussa Kadri, who chased him brandishing a knife. When he fell to the ground, Mr Kadri kicked him and spat at him, while a passing delivery driver also kicked him and then cycled away. [23]. Both men were arrested; Mr Kadri was later convicted of assault and possessing a knife and sentenced to a suspended term of imprisonment [24], while Mr Coskun was convicted of the racially aggravated form of the s.5 offence and fined [27].