Burning a Quran is disorderly, High Court told

"The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched an appeal against that decision. Its barristers told a hearing on Tuesday that the judge was wrong to find that Coskun's behaviour was not "disorderly". David Perry KC, for the CPS, told the court: "Burning a book in a residential or commercial part of central London, between Knightsbridge and Hyde Park, is in itself disorderly and even more so when the book is a holy text, whatever the religion.""

"In written submissions, Perry added that Coskun's actions "did not involve an exercise of legitimate freedom of expression" and instead "crossed the border into criminal conduct". The CPS asked the High Court to send the case back to the crown court for reconsideration. Coskun, an atheist, also shouted "Islam is religion of terrorism" and "Quran is burning" during his protest in Rutland Gardens, London."

"During his demonstration, a man emerged from a nearby building and slashed at him with a large knife, later telling police he was protecting his religion. The attacker was given a suspended jail sentence in September. Perry told the court that this attack was "effectively provoked" by Coskun's actions. In June 2025 Coskin was convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly behaviour "within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress","

Coskun set a Quran alight during a protest in Rutland Gardens, London, and shouted inflammatory phrases targeting Islam. He was convicted in June 2025 of a religiously aggravated public order offence under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and section five of the Public Order Act 1986. The Crown Prosecution Service has appealed a decision that overturned his conviction, arguing that burning a holy text in central London is in itself disorderly and crossed into criminal conduct. A man who attacked Coskun with a knife said he was protecting his religion and received a suspended sentence. The Home Office provided Coskun accommodation after threats. Coskun is resisting the legal challenge and attended the hearing.

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