Cartoons protester found guilty
Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:22 pm
Cartoons protester found guilty
A man who called for the killing of British troops has been found guilty of stirring up racial hatred at a rally.
Mizanur Rahman, of Palmers Green, north London, was arrested after a protest at the UK's Danish Embassy over cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
The cartoons had been published by newspapers in Denmark and other European countries.
The Old Bailey jury was unable to reach a verdict on a separate charge of soliciting murder.
Blood
Web designer Rahman, who had denied both charges, was remanded in custody while the prosecution decide on whether there would be a retrial over the murder charge.
Rahman, 23, was arrested after a 3 February London rally which was attended by some 300 Muslims.
The Old Bailey heard that he addressed the protest on the issue of UK troops in Iraq, saying: "We want to see their blood running in the streets of Baghdad."
Body bags
Mr Perry had told the jury that Rahman also called for more 9/11-style attacks.
"What he said was this: 'Oh Allah, we want to see another 9/11 in Iraq, another 9/11 in Denmark, another 9/11 in Spain, in France, all over Europe," Mr Perry said.
The prosecution said Rahman was also filmed calling for troops to be brought back to the UK in body bags.
He was also photographed holding placards which said: "Annihilate those who insult Islam."
'Speaker's Corner'
In his defence Rahman said he had no intention of anyone carrying out the actions he called for.
His counsel, John Burton, told members of the jury it was not enough for them to be "offended, shocked and distressed" by the comments.
"It is a matter of whether a serious crime has taken place," he added.
Mr Burton likened the defendant's comments to those heard at Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park.
The case was adjourned until Monday for the Crown to consider its position.
The jury had spent two days considering the charges.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6133516.stm
Published: 2006/11/09 17:47:59 GMT
© BBC MMVI
A man who called for the killing of British troops has been found guilty of stirring up racial hatred at a rally.
Mizanur Rahman, of Palmers Green, north London, was arrested after a protest at the UK's Danish Embassy over cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
The cartoons had been published by newspapers in Denmark and other European countries.
The Old Bailey jury was unable to reach a verdict on a separate charge of soliciting murder.
Blood
Web designer Rahman, who had denied both charges, was remanded in custody while the prosecution decide on whether there would be a retrial over the murder charge.
Rahman, 23, was arrested after a 3 February London rally which was attended by some 300 Muslims.
The Old Bailey heard that he addressed the protest on the issue of UK troops in Iraq, saying: "We want to see their blood running in the streets of Baghdad."
Body bags
Mr Perry had told the jury that Rahman also called for more 9/11-style attacks.
"What he said was this: 'Oh Allah, we want to see another 9/11 in Iraq, another 9/11 in Denmark, another 9/11 in Spain, in France, all over Europe," Mr Perry said.
The prosecution said Rahman was also filmed calling for troops to be brought back to the UK in body bags.
He was also photographed holding placards which said: "Annihilate those who insult Islam."
'Speaker's Corner'
In his defence Rahman said he had no intention of anyone carrying out the actions he called for.
His counsel, John Burton, told members of the jury it was not enough for them to be "offended, shocked and distressed" by the comments.
"It is a matter of whether a serious crime has taken place," he added.
Mr Burton likened the defendant's comments to those heard at Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park.
The case was adjourned until Monday for the Crown to consider its position.
The jury had spent two days considering the charges.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6133516.stm
Published: 2006/11/09 17:47:59 GMT
© BBC MMVI
