A Brighton man is due to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court – better known as the Old Bailey – in London today (Monday 10 January) on a terrorism charge.
Abubaker Deghayes, 53, of Arundel Drive East, Saltdean, denies encouraging terrorism in a speech at a Brighton mosque.
Deghayes is alleged to have made statements encouraging terrorism to those present for evening prayers on Sunday 1 November 2020.
It is claimed that at the time he “intended or was reckless as to whether members of the public would be directly or indirectly encouraged to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism”.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge during a hearing at the Old Bailey before Judge Nigel Lickley on Friday (26 November).
Deghayes has been on conditional bail while awaiting his trial by jury.
The trial, which is due to presided over by Judge Lickley, is expected to last seven days.
I wouldn’t normally post under one of our stories but someone tried using a fake email address to post a trenchant comment about the defendant even though a trial is taking place before a jury – so I thought it may be helpful to share the reply that I would have sent to someone using a genuine email address.
Defendants are innocent until proven guilty and we are under a legal duty not to publish anything that could sway a jury before it reaches a verdict. The law recognises the public interest in reporting a case as it proceeds, with the prosecution setting out its case before the defendant has a chance to respond. Such reports are protected in law.
Comments that attack a racial or religious group could well fall foul of other laws.
We welcome comments, even robust comments, but please stay within the bounds of the law and decency.