A man convicted for burning a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London has reported receiving numerous death threats and expressed concern for his safety. Hamit Coskun, 50, was fined £240 following his demonstration on February 13, during which he shouted inflammatory slogans against Islam. The court’s decision labelled his actions as disorderly conduct, a ruling that has ignited significant debate about freedom of expression and the handling of religious sensitivities in the UK.

During the protest, Coskun was reportedly assaulted by an individual wielding a knife who then spat at him. This confrontation led to a heightened security situation for Coskun, as two days later, he faced a violent burglary at his home in which he was threatened with weapons by assailants purportedly of Iraqi descent. Following these events, he temporarily relocated for his safety and was placed under police protection, though he later claimed the response from authorities was inadequate. “What really worries me is the attitude of the police," he told sources, emphasising his sense of abandonment amid rising threats.

Coskun, who fled Turkey two and a half years ago due to his outspoken atheism and criticism of Islamism, has continued to vocalise his fears. He believes that the ruling against him, combined with the debilitating death threats he has received, exemplifies a cultural and legal environment hostile to open dialogue. Concern over the implications of this conviction is not limited to Coskun; prominent politicians, including opposition leader Kemi Badenoch and former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, have vocally defended his right to protest, labelling the charges as a subtle return to blasphemy laws that had been publicly dismissed by the UK government.

While the court deemed Coskun’s actions offensive, it also raised questions about the nature of protest and its boundaries in multicultural societies. Following the conviction, organisations such as the National Secular Society and the Free Speech Union have pledged their support and assistance, indicating plans to appeal the decision, with potential ramifications that could extend into European legal frameworks.

In a recent statement, Coskun referred to his continued activism as part of a broader struggle against what he views as an “Islamic invasion,” asserting that his actions remain within democratic bounds. “I do not intend to harm or disturb anyone. I am trying to raise awareness,” he stated, positioning his protest as a necessary act of free speech rather than a malicious attack on religious beliefs.

As the debate evolves, the Derbyshire police and relevant authorities are under scrutiny for their handling of both the threats against Coskun and the initial proceedings that led to his conviction. The repercussions of this case may very well shape the discourse surrounding freedom of expression in the UK, revealing deeper societal divides regarding religious expression and the limits of protest.

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Source: Noah Wire Services