Trial of men accused of burning poppies opens
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The trial of two men accused of burning poppies on the anniversary of Armistice Day is due to start today.
Mohammad Haque, 30, and Emdadur Choudhury, 26, were arrested during a demonstration by Islamist group Muslims Against Crusades in Kensington, west London, on November 11.
Haque, of Mace Street, Bethnal Green, east London, and Choudhury of Hunton Street, Spitalfields, east London, will appear at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court. Both have pleaded not guilty to one count under the Public Order Act.
It is alleged that on November 11 at Kensington Gore, Haque and Choudhury employed threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour within hearing or sight of persons who could be alarmed or distressed by this.
During the incident, the English Defence League were on one side of the road while representatives from Muslims Against Crusades had been on the other.
Two demonstrations were held outside Woolwich Crown Court - where Belmarsh magistrates are sitting - ahead of today's trial.