Man Spared Jail After Attacking Koran-Burning Protester in London
A Muslim man, Moussa Kadri, has been spared jail after attacking a protester, Hamit Coskun, who was burning a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge, London, on February 13. The incident has sparked a free speech row, with some critics arguing that the sentencing sets a dangerous precedent.
The Attack and Sentencing
During the protest, Hamit Coskun, 51, shouted offensive statements against Islam and burned the Koran. Moussa Kadri, 59, emerged from a nearby building, threatened to kill Coskun, and slashed at him with a knife. Kadri later told police he was protecting his religion.
Judge Adam Hiddleston at Southwark Crown Court handed Kadri a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He is also required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation. Kadri had pleaded guilty to assault and having a bladed article in a public place. The judge described Kadri's loss of temper as 'disgraceful' and condemned the 'use of blades' as a 'curse on our community.'
Reactions and Free Speech Debate
The sentencing has ignited a debate about free speech and the potential for vigilante justice. Toby Young, General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, stated this 'sends a green light to any Muslim who wants to enforce an Islamic blasphemy by taking the law into their own hands'. He added that the court is effectively saying that attacking a blasphemer with a knife will result in minimal consequences.
National Secular Society chief executive Stephen Evans emphasized, 'Free expression should never be met with violence'. He stated that criticism or destruction of religious texts is a legitimate form of protest in a free and open society.
Coskun's Actions and Conviction
Hamit Coskun was also convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence in June. He was found guilty of using disorderly conduct 'within the hearing or sight of a person likely to have caused harassment, alarm or distress', motivated by 'hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam'. His actions were deemed 'highly provocative' and motivated in part by a hatred of Muslims, according to District Judge John McGarva.
| Person | Details |
|---|---|
| Moussa Kadri | Spared jail after attacking Koran-burning protester; sentenced to 20-week suspended sentence, unpaid work, and rehabilitation. |
| Hamit Coskun | Protester who burned the Koran and shouted offensive statements; convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence. |
