By Betul Yuruk
UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations on Tuesday denounced the burning of a copy of the Muslim holy book the Quran in front of a mosque in Germany.
''The desecration of the Quran in front of a mosque in southwestern Germany is yet another offensive act that is disrespectful and unacceptable,'' Miguel Angel Moratinos said in a tweet.
''Such act is not free expression, it is an expression of contempt and hatred that will only serve to fuel anger and trigger violence.''
A Quran was burned and thrown from a moving vehicle in front of a mosque in southwestern Germany last Saturday.
The incident happened in front of the Mimar Sinan Mosque in the town of Maulbronn, located in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg.
It comes in the wake of multiple burnings or desecrations of Qurans in various European countries, including a recent high-profile Quran burning in front of a mosque in Sweden, allowed by the police, drawing international outrage.
Muslim leaders and politicians have stressed that such desecrations and provocations are not covered by freedom of expression laws.