Conviction of man who burned a Koran condemned as example of ‘de facto blasphemy laws’
THE conviction of a man who burned a Koran has been condemned as an example of “de facto blasphemy laws”.
Hamit Coskun, 50, yelled “f*** Islam” as he set fire to a copy of the religious text outside the Turkish consulate in South West London in February.
He was yesterday found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence and fined £240.
The judge at Westminster magistrates’ court called his actions “highly provocative”.
But Kemi Badenoch yesterday urged Mr Coskun to appeal against the conviction, saying that “freedom of belief, and freedom not to believe, are inalienable rights in Britain”.
The Tory leader said: “De facto blasphemy laws will set this country on the road to ruin.”
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Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick added: “Free speech is under threat.
"I have no confidence in Two-Tier Keir to defend the right of the public to criticise all religions.”
The Free Speech Union vowed to fight the conviction all the way to the European Court of Human Rights if needed.
Last night, Downing Street said: “There are no blasphemy laws in England, and no plans to introduce any.”
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