A man convicted for burning a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London has expressed profound fears for his safety following his controversial protest. Hamit Coskun, 50, demonstrated on February 13, holding the flaming religious text aloft while shouting phrases such as "Koran is burning" and "Islam is a religion of terrorism." This act, marked by inflammatory rhetoric, has since led to him receiving hundreds of death threats, prompting a worry for his life.

Coskun was fined £240 and an additional £96 surcharge by Westminster Magistrates' Court for his actions, which the court deemed constituted a religiously aggravated public order offence. District Judge John McGarva explained that, while an act of burning a religious book can be offensive, Coskun's timing, location, and verbal abuse exacerbated the disorderly conduct.

The protest was allegedly aimed at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whom Coskun accuses of enabling radical Islamists. However, the demonstration rapidly escalated from verbal protest to physical danger, as Coskun was attacked by an assailant wielding a knife, an incident he noted in his statements. Following the attack, a break-in at Coskun's home by two individuals reinforced his fears, prompting a brief period of police protection.

In an interview, Coskun described the torrent of threats he has received through social media and expressed dissatisfaction with law enforcement’s response. "What really worries and upsets me is the attitude of the police... when I told them I felt unsafe, they said there was nothing they could do," he said. This sentiment has left him feeling unprotected in a country he hoped would provide asylum.

Political backlash followed Coskun’s conviction, with prominent figures, including opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, disputing the legality of the ruling. Critics have argued that this situation signals a disturbing trend toward reinstating blasphemy laws, which the UK formally abolished in 2008, supposedly safeguarding freedom of expression. The National Secular Society and the Free Speech Union have taken up Coskun’s cause, promising to support his appeal against the conviction.

In a display of his defiance, Coskun has reiterated his commitment to free speech. "I am an activist. I criticise Islam. I think that Islam poses a threat to the whole world," he stated. Despite the risks, he remains steadfast in his belief in the right to protest and voice dissent against what he perceives as threats to freedom and democracy.

The issue raises stark questions about the boundaries of free speech in the UK amidst rising tensions around religious sensitivities and the potential for violence in response to provocative actions. Advocates for free speech warn that the conviction of Coskun may represent a precarious moment for civil liberties in the UK, as public discourse grapples with the complexities of respecting diverse beliefs while maintaining the right to critique. As legal battles loom, Coskun’s case could well become a litmus test for freedom of expression in contemporary Britain.

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Source: Noah Wire Services