UK Muslim 'activist' Majeed Freeman jailed for spreading lies and misinformation about role of Hindus in Leicester riots

Muslim 'activist'   Majeed Freeman , who spread lies and misinformation about the role of Hindus in   the 2022 anti-Hindu Leicester   riots  , was jailed  for 22 weeks for trying to incite violence during the same riot   . 

Majid Nowzarka, also known as Majid Freeman,  was arrested on 9 July 2023 on charges of counter-terrorism offences, including promoting terrorist activities  . Stated views or beliefs favorable to Hamas. The banned terror outfit, on several occasions between December 26 and June 20 last year. The court described the alleged offenses as "serious". 

He was sentenced by District Judge Amar Mehtat at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Monday September 9 after being convicted of the Section 4 public order offence.  In sending him to jail, the court said Freeman had intended "unlawful violence" and had used "abusive words intended to provoke violence".

"Insight UK has confirmed at Northampton Court that Majid Freeman (real name Majid Nowzarka) was in court yesterday (September 9) and was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison for his part in the Leicester violence which led to attacks on Hindus and Hindus," the Hindu organization posted.

The court was also told that Majid Freeman is accused of encouraging individuals to commit, plan and promote terrorist acts on social media on March 11, 2015, in reference to the assassination of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.

Majeed Freeman is a local Muslim "activist" known for his radical Islamic views. During the Leicester riots, Freeman was instrumental in spreading fake news that fueled tensions against the Hindu community. On 28 August 2022, the disturbance started following a brawl following India's win over Pakistan in a T20 match, during which the Indian flag was desecrated. Even though the Hindus calmed down the situation and helped the person who desecrated the flag, Freeman spread the wrong narrative, which further escalated the violence.

On August 30, Majid Freeman, influenced by misinformation from Muslim organisations, falsely claimed that Hindus in Leicester had chanted "Death to Muslims", an allegation later dismissed by the police. On the same day, Freeman spread a false rumor on Twitter, alleging that the Quran was desecrated in Leicester and insinuating that Hindus were responsible. No evidence was found to support these claims.

Freeman further inflamed the conflict by falsely accusing a group of over 30 Hindus of following and assaulting a Muslim teenager. However, it was confirmed that no video evidence was submitted to the police and no investigation was conducted.

On September 4, when violence against Hindus escalated and mobs attacked them in their homes and on the streets, Freeman again used Twitter to incite violence, dog-whistling against the Hindu community. Repeated use of misinformation fuelled already burgeoning tensions and created a dangerous atmosphere of communal violence.