New Delhi: A man allegedly attempted to burn a Quran outside the Turkish embassy in London on Thursday afternoon, sparking a violent altercation. The incident, which unfolded near the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge, was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
Footage shows the man igniting the book, believed to be the Quran, and holding it aloft as it burned outside the consulate’s perimeter, eliciting reactions from onlookers. In a subsequent video, another man attacks him, kicking him violently while he lies on the ground and then appearing to assault him with a sharp weapon.
ICYMI: Man burns Quran outside London Turkish Consulate, gets stabbed, spat on and kicked by the knifeman
The demonstrator was rushed to the hospital after the attacker was detained pic.twitter.com/jrO4GZZhzL
— RT (@RT_com) February 14, 2025
The victim was hospitalised with finger injuries but reportedly sustained no stab wounds. Police swiftly arrested the attacker on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and causing grievous bodily harm.
The man who attempted to burn the Quran is believed to be of Turkish origin. Reports suggest he may have been inspired by Salwan Momika, a Quran burner in Sweden who was recently killed. An online account, purportedly belonging to the attacker, offered commentary on the incident and claimed he was assaulted after his “protest.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident and arrest, stating they were called to Rutland Gardens following reports of an assault. Their investigation is ongoing. “Police were called at 14.11hrs on Thursday, 13 February to Rutland Gardens following reports of a man being assaulted. The victim was taken to hospital with injuries to his finger. He did not receive any stab wounds. Officers attended within minutes and arrested a man on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and grievous bodily harm,” a statement from the Metropolitan Police said.
Earlier, Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee, was found dead in Sweden just hours before a court was set to deliver a ruling on his controversial actions last year. Momika, known for his repeated acts of burning the Quran during anti-Islam demonstrations, was shot and killed in his home in Sodertalje, a town near Stockholm.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed the situation at a press conference, assuring the public that security services were fully engaged in the investigation. “There is a clear risk that there may be a connection to a foreign power,” he stated, suggesting the murder could be linked to international tensions surrounding Momika’s actions.
