A second man has been charged with a crime for burning the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in London

A second man has been charged in connection with a controversial Quran burning incident outside the Turkish Embassy in London on Thursday, further igniting debates over freedom of speech and religious protection laws in the UK. The individual, who was reportedly protesting against the Turkish President, faces charges of “intent to cause harassment, alarm, or distress” under UK law, with the specific focus on Islamic institutions.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is set to stand trial in May 2025. The incident follows a similar event that took place in Manchester two weeks ago, where another man was arrested after burning a Quran and pled guilty to a charge of racially or religiously aggravated harassment.

However, the London case has raised more alarm, with charges being brought against the individual for an act that some argue should be protected under freedom of speech, not tied to religious institutions. Humanists UK, a prominent group advocating for secularism and free expression, has expressed shock at the legal approach, arguing that burning a religious text should not be criminalised.

In a statement, Humanists UK emphasised their concern over the potential return of blasphemy laws through alternative legal avenues, a concern that has gained traction since the 2008 repeal of the blasphemy law in England and Wales. The group’s spokesperson made it clear that their position remains that laws should protect individuals, not religious ideas or institutions.

“We believe this charge against the man is deeply troubling. While we understand that some may find the act offensive, criminalising it sets a dangerous precedent,” said a spokesperson for Humanists UK. They added that such incidents have led to greater concern about the potential erosion of freedom of expression in the UK, especially after the recent cases in Manchester and now London.

The man’s actions also led to a confrontation, with a second individual allegedly attacking the Quran-burner with a knife. This second assailant has been charged with causing actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon, adding further complexity to the case.

Humanists UK is not the only group raising alarm. They plan to urgently discuss the London case with the UK Government, highlighting the potential implications for freedom of expression, particularly regarding acts like Quran-burning that challenge long-standing legal norms.

The growing calls for legislation against Quran-burning in the UK echo developments in Denmark, where a blasphemy law was introduced to address such issues. In 2024, similar proposals were put forward in the UK, but Downing Street reassured concerned parties that no such laws would be enacted. This recent case, however, has reignited fears that blasphemy laws could be creeping back into British law, albeit under different guises.

In the UN’s 2024 stance on blasphemy, the body condemned laws that restrict freedom of speech, stressing that such measures only serve to fuel religious violence rather than resolve underlying tensions.

As the London trial approaches, many are left wondering whether the legal system can balance the need to protect free speech while respecting deeply held religious beliefs. The ongoing debates have left the public at a crossroads, with both sides arguing for the preservation of rights, though from different perspectives.