US Considers Asylum for UK ‘Koran Burner’ Amidst Free Speech Debate
The Trump administration is reportedly considering granting refugee status to Hamit Coskun, a Turkish-born protester who burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London. This move comes as UK prosecutors seek to reinstate his overturned conviction, sparking a debate about free speech and religious offense.
A Case Rooted in Personal Trauma and Protest
Hamit Coskun, 51, of Armenian-Kurdish descent, initially sought asylum in the UK, fleeing Turkey where he claims Islamic extremists “destroyed” his family’s life and he was imprisoned for opposing Islamist governance. In February 2025, Coskun burned the Quran while shouting slogans denouncing Islam. This act of protest led to an assault by a passerby, Moussa Kadri, who attacked him with a knife and subjected him to verbal abuse.
From Acquittal to Appeal: A Shifting Legal Landscape
Coskun was initially charged with harassing the “religious institution of Islam,” but the charge was later amended following intervention from groups like the National Secular Society and the Free Speech Union. They argued the prosecution effectively revived blasphemy laws abolished in 2008. He was ultimately convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offense and fined in June 2025. However, this conviction was overturned in October 2025, with a judge ruling that while the act was deeply offensive to many, free expression must encompass views that “offend, shock or disturb.”
US Interest and Potential Intervention
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is now appealing the acquittal. Should the CPS succeed, Coskun fears he will be forced to flee the UK. He has stated he may seek refuge in the US, where he believes President Trump has demonstrated a stronger commitment to free speech and opposition to Islamic extremism. A senior U.S. Administration official confirmed to The Telegraph that the case is one of several the administration is monitoring.
The Broader Context: Free Speech in the UK and US
This case highlights growing concerns about the state of free speech in the UK and Europe. At the 2025 Munich Security Conference, Vice President JD Vance expressed concern that “in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.” President Trump has likewise criticized UK laws regarding online speech, stating “strange things are happening” and that it was “not a quality thing.”
A Pattern of Restrictions?
The Coskun case isn’t isolated. Increasingly, individuals are facing legal challenges for expressing views deemed offensive or controversial, even when those views fall within the bounds of legal free speech. This trend raises questions about the balance between protecting religious sensitivities and upholding fundamental rights to expression.
What Happens Next?
The outcome of the CPS appeal will be pivotal. If the appeal is successful, Coskun may indeed seek asylum in the US. The US government’s decision on whether to grant him refugee status will likely be influenced by its broader foreign policy objectives and its stance on free speech issues. The case is already drawing significant attention and could set a precedent for future cases involving similar acts of protest.
Did you know?
Blasphemy laws were officially abolished in the UK in 2008, but prosecutions related to religiously offensive behavior continue to occur under public order legislation.
FAQ
Q: What is Hamit Coskun accused of?
A: He was initially charged with harassing the “religious institution of Islam” for burning a Quran, but that charge was later amended. He was convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offense, then acquitted, and now the CPS is appealing that acquittal.
Q: Why is the US considering granting him asylum?
A: Coskun fears persecution if the CPS wins its appeal. The US administration has expressed concern about the state of free speech in the UK and may view his case as a test of those principles.
Q: What was the outcome of the initial trial?
A: Coskun was initially convicted, but that conviction was overturned by a judge who ruled that burning the Quran, while offensive, was protected under free speech principles.
Q: What is the CPS trying to achieve?
A: The Crown Prosecution Service is seeking to reinstate Coskun’s original conviction.
Q: What did Vice President Vance say about free speech in Europe?
A: He expressed concern that free speech was “in retreat” in Britain and across Europe.
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