London knifeman spared prison after Koran-burning protest outside Turkish consulate
Moussa Kadri received a suspended 20-week sentence for assaulting a protester who burned a Koran; the protester had prior religiously aggravated disorder conviction
A man who attacked a protester burning a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London was spared prison, receiving a 20-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months at Southwark Crown Court.
Moussa Kadri, 59, of Kensington in west London, pleaded guilty to assault and having a bladed article in a public place, relating to the February 13 incident in Knightsbridge. Prosecutors said the protest occurred after the man identified as Hamit Coskun traveled from the Midlands and lit a Koran during a demonstration near the Turkish consulate.
Kadri initially approached Coskun and asked why he was burning the book. Footage shown at the hearing captured Coskun shouting “terrorist” while Kadri called him “a f****** idiot,” before Kadri said, “one sec, I’m coming back” and “I’m going to kill you now.” Kadri returned holding a knife and slashed at Coskun as onlookers watched. Coskun appeared to use the burning Koran to deflect Kadri’s blade, as Kadri struck again. The applicant then chased Coskun, who stumbled and fell to the ground, where Kadri is said to have spat at and kicked him. Kadri told police, “I protect my religion.”
Greg Unwin, Kadri’s lawyer, said the defendant acted in the heat of the moment and expressed remorse. “This was a response to a very unusual situation that Mr Kadri has demonstrated regret and remorse for,” the defense argued, noting Kadri’s reaction was to what he perceived as a deeply offensive act against a holy book.
Judge Adam Hiddleston told Kadri that his temper was disgraceful and that the use of blades is a curse on the community. The sentence requires Kadri to perform 150 hours of unpaid work and complete 10 days of rehabilitation in addition to the suspended term.
Coskun’s conviction in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June was for a religiously aggravated public order offence, with the court finding his behavior to be highly provocative and motivated at least in part by hostility toward Muslims. Coskun maintained his criticism targeted Islam as a belief rather than its followers, a distinction the court rejected. The case drew attention to ongoing debates over blasphemy and the balance between free expression and protections for religious groups, with the government reiterating that there are no blasphemy laws in England or plans to introduce any.
The sentence drew mixed reactions from advocates of free speech. Lord Young of Acton, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, said the ruling effectively gives a green light to individuals who pursue what they perceive as blasphemy through violence, arguing that someone who attacks a blasphemer with a knife will not face prison. National Secular Society chief executive Stephen Evans emphasised that free expression should be subject to limits when people are harmed, noting that violence does not constitute legitimate protest. In response, prosecutors and judges emphasized the need to uphold the rule of law while ensuring public safety and the temperate handling of disputes over religion and belief.