Terror suspect denies encouraging attack on Prince George

From the Telegraph  and the BBC

Husnain Rashid, 32, of Nelson, Lancashire is an alleged supporter of the Islamic State group. Woolwich Crown Court heard he is accused of encouraging terrorism with “a photograph of Prince George, along with the address of his school, and a black silhouette of a jihad fighter and a message ‘even the royal family will not be left alone”‘.

The charge alleges he “published statements which intended members of the public to be directly or indirectly encouraged to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism”.

Rashid is also accused of analysing the fatal Besiktas football stadium bombing in Turkey in 2016 to try to find ways the attack could have been carried out more successfully and at similar venues in the UK.

Among a list of other accusations, the 32-year-old is said to have had a map of Sixth Avenue in New York and a message stating “New York Halloween Parade. Have you made you preparations? The Countdown begins”, according to the charges. He is also alleged to have posted a photograph of the Burmese ambassador to the United Kingdom with the address of the Burmese embassy, saying “you know what to do”.

There was also a post urging people to “fight and spill the blood to the apes in your land”, with a message stating “start planning, start scouting targets, start monitoring entry/exit routes, start preparing tools and weapons/explosives”, It is claimed he created a network of instant messaging channels aimed at “Lone Mujahud and aspiring Lone Mujahid”, along with uploading resources to his channels that might help others’ attack planning.

Rashid faces three charges of preparing acts of terrorism, one of encouraging terrorism, two of disseminating terrorist publications and one under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, all of which he denied at Woolwich crown court yesterday. The defendant is scheduled to go on trial at Woolwich Crown Court on 14 May.