Man charged with racially-aggravated death threats against Tommy Robinson
Muhammad Abdul Basir allegedly threatened to cut EDL founder’s ‘neck off’
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A man has been charged with making death threats against Tommy Robinson motivated by his “white English” identity.
Muhammad Abdul Basir, 25, denied racially-aggravated harassment and putting the English Defence League founder in fear of violence during a hearing at the Old Bailey.
The court heard that Mr Basir threatened to cut Robinson’s “neck off” in a video posted online last year, and that he made several YouTube videos of a similar nature.
He allegedly threatened to beat Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and made threatening comments towards his supporters, as well as white English people.
Basir, of Mitcham in south London, is accused of uploading the videos on two occasions in September last year.
Appearing in court on Wednesday, he denied a charge of racially aggravated harassment involving fear of violence motivated by Robinson's “white English” racial identity.
He further denied a charge of putting in fear of violence, which stated that he posted threatening videos and that he “knew or ought to have known” that it would cause Robinson fear of violence.
Judge Mark Lucraft QC listed Basir's trial for 8 March, and warned him that if he fails to attend the case could go ahead in his absence.
Basir, who spoke only to enter his pleas, was granted bail until his trial date.
Additional reporting by PA