Moussa Kadri, who attacked a Quran burner outside the Turkish Consulate in London in February, was spared jail because of his previous exemplary character, his remorsefulness, and the almost “non-existent chance” of re-offending.
In his sentencing remarks at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge HHJ Hiddleston noted that Kadri’s actions, which were filmed in a viral video, were completely out of character because he was deeply offended by a man desecrating the Islamic holy book.
The judge said: “I accept that you are remorseful as reflected in the references and the pre-sentence report that I have read. I note however that you are now 59 years old and someone of hitherto exemplary character. Those who know you speak extremely highly of you and observe that this behaviour is totally out of character. Those observations demonstrate what a tragedy it is that a man of your previous good character should find that because of your actions you are before the Crown Court for the first time in your life. I note also the good works that you do especially your work with charities.”
The judge added: “You are a loved husband and father. A hard worker and someone who, those who have written on your behalf cannot praise highly enough. You are relied upon as a carer and much respected in your work with charity.”
Quran burning incident
On February 13, Moussa Kadri, from London, confronted Hamit Coskun, a 51-year-old Islamophobe, outside the Turkish Consulate in Knightsbridge.
Coskun was burning a copy of the Quran while shouting anti-Islamic slogans like “f*** Islam,” “Islam is religion of terrorism,” and “Quran is burning.”
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Kadri, who lived nearby, approached Coskun, called him an “idiot,” and threatened, “I’m going to kill you.” He then returned to his home, armed himself with a bread knife, and slashed at Coskun, who deflected the attack using the burning Quran.
Kadri chased Coskun, who fell, and then spat at and kicked him. Kadri later told police he acted to “protect his religion.”
Moussa Kadri pleaded guilty to common assault and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
On Monday, at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Hiddleston sentenced him to a 20-week prison term, suspended for 18 months, plus 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation.
The judge said: “This case clearly crosses the custody threshold, The use blades is a curse on our community. There cannot be separate standards based simply on the type of person who choses to behave in this way…
“Even if you never had any intention to stab him, your actions, in public, in Central London and during the day were wholly unacceptable. Knife crime of any sort is something that these courts take extremely seriously. When armed with a knife, there is always the possibility that really serious injury or death, even if unintended, could result. Losing your temper and your self-control in the way that you did that day was disgraceful and is something that I know you are rightly ashamed of…
“There has to be, it seems to me, a clear message, that these courts take this type of offence extremely seriously and that prison sentences will be imposed. That said, in your case, I see no reason for that sentence to result in immediate custody. I have already observed that your mitigation reflects a highly respected and valued individual. I accept your remorse and I accept that there is an almost non-existent chance of repetition of this behaviour. The effect of your incarceration now on others would be wholly disproportionate. I propose therefore to impose a suspended sentence of imprisonment for 18 months.”
The sentence has sparked widespread outrage among the far-right who view it as evidence of a “two-tier justice system” favouring religious sensitivities over violent crime. They argue it effectively creates a “blasphemy law” in the UK, where offending Islam leads to lighter punishment for retaliation than the offence itself.
Hamit Coskun
In June, the atheist Hamit Coskun was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence after he burnt a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London.
Hamit Coskun, 50, was accused of shouting “f*** Islam” and “Islam is religion of terrorism” as he held up a burning copy of the holy Islamic text in Knightsbridge, London, in February.
District Judge John McGarva ruled that the defendant’s actions were “motivated at least in part by hostility towards Muslims” and that his conduct “was not a reasonable exercise” of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Delivering the verdict, McGarva said on Monday: “Your actions in burning the Quran where you did were highly provocative, and your actions were accompanied by abusive language in some cases directed toward the religion and were motivated at least in part by hatred of followers of the religion.”
He ordered Coskun to pay a £240 fine, with a statutory surcharge of £96.
The defendant argued that he was practicing his “right of freedom of speech” in his action that sparked large reaction in Britain as a footage of the incident went viral on social media platforms.
