Posted on 11/09/2006 5:01:23 PM PST by bruinbirdman
A British Muslim who called for the murder of coalition troops in Afghanistan during a demonstration against the Danish cartoons has been convicted of inciting racial hatred.
Mizanur Rahman, a website designer, was among 300 people who protested in London against the decision of several European newspapers to publish offensive cartoons of the prophet Mohammed.
An Old Bailey jury today found him guilty of stirring up race hate but was unable to reach a verdict on a second charge of incitement to murder.
Rahman, 23, who denied both charges, was remanded in custody while the prosecution decide whether there will be a retrial. David Perry QC, for the prosecution, said he thought one "likely".
The case was adjourned to Monday for the Crown to consider its position.
The prosecution alleged that Rahman, of Palmers Green, north London, encouraged indiscriminate killing, calling for troops to be brought back from Iraq in body bags and for another Sept 11 in Europe.
But Rahman's counsel, John Burton, told the jury it was not enough to be "offended, shocked and distressed" by what he said.
"It is a matter of whether a serious crime has taken place," he said.
He compared Rahman's outpourings to those of people standing on boxes at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park.
Rahman was arrested in March following a public outcry against the provocative nature of the demonstrations.
What has happened to freedom of expression in Britain lately?
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