July 10, 2009

Anti-Muslim pamphleteers released without charge


by Benjamin Graham

Three Lancashire men arrested for handing out leaflets claiming that Muslims were responsible for the heroin trade will not be prosecuted.

The leaflet, which urged people to ‘heap condemnation’ on Muslims, was distributed in Burnley and reportedly circulated as far afield as Yorkshire and Cumbria.

British National Party supporters and members, including leader Nick Griffin, demonstrated outside Burnley police station after the men were arrested in dawn raids last November.

Two of the four men were BNP members in the local area, a BNP spokesperson said.

On the leaflet was a picture of Rachel Whitear, 21, holding a syringe.

Whitear was found dead in her flat in Exmouth, Devon, in May 2000.

Rachel’s mother Pauline said the decision to use Rachel’s photo on the leaflet was “insulting and offensive”.

The leaflet alleged that Muslims are responsible for 95% of the world’s heroin trade, and said it was time for Muslims to ‘apologise’.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “A 41-year-old man from Nelson, a 44-year-old man from Darwen and a 57-year-old man from Nelson were all arrested on suspicion of the publication and distribution of written material intended to stir up racial hatred, and the possession of racially inflammatory material.

“However, they have now been told they will not face prosecution.”

A fourth man arrested on suspicion of the same offences was re-bailed until later this month, the spokesperson added.

Discuss this in the Interfaith forums

Story link: Anti-Muslim pamphleteers released without charge


Bookmark and Share

Related stories:

 

Leave a Reply




 

Previous: « Christians fear being ‘gagged’ on homosexuality
Next: Hindu pilgrim dies in helicopter crash »

Visited 273 times, 1 so far today