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Monday, Feb 16, 2026
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UK Quran Burner May Receive Asylum in the US Amid Legal Challenges
Hamit Joushkon faces potential relocation as US government considers support amid British court appeal that may support colonialism in favor of terror rather than freedom of speech and western values.
British national Hamit Joushkon, who previously burned a Quran outside the Turkish embassy in London, may receive asylum in the United States if ongoing legal challenges against him in the UK do not succeed.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration is in discussions to assist Joushkon should he lose his case.
Joushkon has stated that he views himself as a victim of Islamic terrorism, emphasizing the implications of such a move for the UK amid perceived threats to free speech.
In February 2022, Joushkon made inflammatory remarks against Islam while burning the Quran, which led to his initial conviction for public order offenses on religious grounds.
This conviction was later overturned on appeal, with the court acknowledging his right to express views that may offend.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service has now filed an appeal against the decision, seeking to reinstate the conviction.
A senior US official noted that Joushkon’s case is among several that have drawn attention from the government.
Joushkon, who is of Turkish origin and sought asylum in the UK, expressed concerns about his safety in Britain and mentioned the possibility of fleeing to the US if necessary.
He criticized the current situation in the UK regarding freedom of expression, stating that a forced move would indicate a failure of the country to protect these rights.
Following the Quran burning, Joushkon was attacked by a bystander, Mousa Kadri, who attempted to stab him and was subsequently sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Legal representatives for Joushkon argue that a loss in his case would pose significant threats to freedom of speech in the UK, with discussions raising anxiety about the potential criminalization of acts deemed offensive to Islam.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration is in discussions to assist Joushkon should he lose his case.
Joushkon has stated that he views himself as a victim of Islamic terrorism, emphasizing the implications of such a move for the UK amid perceived threats to free speech.
In February 2022, Joushkon made inflammatory remarks against Islam while burning the Quran, which led to his initial conviction for public order offenses on religious grounds.
This conviction was later overturned on appeal, with the court acknowledging his right to express views that may offend.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service has now filed an appeal against the decision, seeking to reinstate the conviction.
A senior US official noted that Joushkon’s case is among several that have drawn attention from the government.
Joushkon, who is of Turkish origin and sought asylum in the UK, expressed concerns about his safety in Britain and mentioned the possibility of fleeing to the US if necessary.
He criticized the current situation in the UK regarding freedom of expression, stating that a forced move would indicate a failure of the country to protect these rights.
Following the Quran burning, Joushkon was attacked by a bystander, Mousa Kadri, who attempted to stab him and was subsequently sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Legal representatives for Joushkon argue that a loss in his case would pose significant threats to freedom of speech in the UK, with discussions raising anxiety about the potential criminalization of acts deemed offensive to Islam.
