A man has confessed to assaulting an individual who set fire to a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in central London.
Moussa Kadri, 59, a resident of Kensington and Chelsea, pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to the assault on Hamit Coskun but denied the charge of possessing a knife during the incident that took place on 13 February in Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge.
Mr. Coskun, 50, from Derby, has previously contested a count of harassment motivated by religious beliefs.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Kathryn Hughes informed the court that Kadri exited a nearby building wielding a large bread knife and attacked Mr. Coskun, who was reportedly burning the Quran as part of a protest.
The possession of a bladed item carries a potential maximum penalty of four years in prison. The case has been referred to Southwark Crown Court, where Kadri will face trial for the alleged possession charge and will be sentenced for the assault next month.
He has been granted conditional bail, which includes a stipulation not to contact Mr. Coskun directly.
Kadri only provided his name and address and entered his pleas during the hearing.
Mr. Coskun is scheduled to appear for trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 28 May.
