Cartoon protestor convicted for soliciting murder

05/01/2007

Today at the Central Criminal Court Umran Javed was convicted of one offence of soliciting to murder and one offence of stirring up racial hatred in relation to a protest in February this year against the publication of cartoons in the European press.

Sue Hemming, Head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division said today:

"When we look at cases like this we are mindful of the rights of individuals to free speech - it is an important aspect of a democratic society. However, when we examined the content of Mr Javed's speech it was explicit that there was direct encouragement to those present and those watching via the media to commit acts of murder against the Danish and Americans.

"The law also makes it clear that free speech should not be misused to insult, abuse or threaten people in such a way that it will stir up racial hatred. Given the context in which Mr Javed's speech was delivered it was plain that racial hatred was either intended or the likely result."

Notes to Editors

1. Soliciting to murder is an offence under S4 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
2. Stirring up racial hatred is an offence under S18 of the Public Order Act 1986 and carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
3. For further enquiries contact CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8127.