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Cartoons protester found guilty | Cartoons protester found guilty |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A man who called for the killing of British troops has been found guilty of stirring up racial hatred at a rally. | 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. | 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 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 inciting murder. | The Old Bailey jury was unable to reach a verdict on a separate charge of inciting murder. |
The jury had spent two days considering the charges. | The jury had spent two days considering the charges. |
Body bags | Body bags |
Web designer Rahman, who had denied both charges, was remanded in custody while the prosecution decide whether there will be a retrial over that charge. | Web designer Rahman, who had denied both charges, was remanded in custody while the prosecution decide whether there will be a retrial over that charge. |
I didn't think anyone would take me seriously Mizanur Rahman | |
During the trial Rahman apologised for his words on the day of the protest, saying felt "almost ashamed". | |
"I didn't think anyone would take me seriously," he told the court. | |
The 23-year-old was arrested after a rally in London on 3 February which was attended by some 300 Muslims. | The 23-year-old was arrested after a rally in London on 3 February which was attended by some 300 Muslims. |
The Old Bailey heard 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." | The Old Bailey heard 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." |
David Perry QC, prosecuting, told the jury Rahman had also called for more 9/11-style attacks. | |
Mizanur Rahman urged another 9/11 in Europe | |
"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. | "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 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." | He was also photographed holding placards which said: "Annihilate those who insult Islam." |
'Speaker's Corner' | 'Speaker's Corner' |
In his defence Rahman said he had no intention of anyone carrying out the actions he called for. | 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. | His counsel, John Burton, told members of the jury it was not enough for them to be "offended, shocked and distressed" by the comments. |
Whilst we may indeed be fortunate enough to live in a free society, it does not give people the freedom to stir up racial hatred Shahid Malik MP | |
"It is a matter of whether a serious crime has taken place," he added. | "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. | Mr Burton likened the defendant's comments to those heard at Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park. |
The case has been adjourned until Monday for the Crown to consider its position. | |
Meanwhile, Labour MP Shahid Malik, said he was "extremely pleased" at Rahman's conviction, adding it was "a good day" for community relations. | Meanwhile, Labour MP Shahid Malik, said he was "extremely pleased" at Rahman's conviction, adding it was "a good day" for community relations. |
The Dewsbury MP said: "I'm very satisfied with the verdict and hope that it will send out the signal that whilst we may indeed be fortunate enough to live in a free society, it does not give people the freedom to stir up racial hatred, and that those who do so will be dealt with the courts accordingly." | The Dewsbury MP said: "I'm very satisfied with the verdict and hope that it will send out the signal that whilst we may indeed be fortunate enough to live in a free society, it does not give people the freedom to stir up racial hatred, and that those who do so will be dealt with the courts accordingly." |