Politics
Activist exonerated in major victory after Hindutva riot conviction overturned
LONDON: In a monumental legal victory, Leicester-based Muslim activist Majid Freeman has been exonerated after a retrial led to the quashing of his conviction for a public order offence related to the 2022 Hindutva-inspired riots in Leicester.
Freeman, whose parents are originally from Indian Gujarat and who has spent the last three years facing relentless legal pressure, is now officially vindicated as he has been cleared of all charges. Geo News has extensively covered the aftermath of the riots and had interviewed Majid Freeman and other activists from all communities.
Freeman, who was imprisoned in 2024 after being convicted of “intending immediate unlawful violence” and using abusive language towards a police officer during the unrest, has seen his conviction overturned after the retrial confirmed the evidence against Freeman was baseless.
Judge Robert Brown, presiding over the case at Leicester Crown Court, stated that the prosecution had failed to prove Freeman’s intent, adding that Freeman’s positive contributions to the community were clear.
“We have listened with great care to the evidence provided by Mr Freeman. As a witness, he impressed us. He was measured, restrained, and showed humility when providing evidence,” Judge Brown said. “It is clear that he has consistently worked as a bridge-builder with the police to foster harmony in his community.”
“We are not satisfied that the Crown has proven that Mr Freeman acted with intent, and we have quashed his conviction following the appeal,” Judge Brown added.
Though the police officers involved in the events of September 17, 2022, were acknowledged for their efforts, the judge found the allegations against Freeman — ranging from pushing an officer to provoking violence — insufficient and unsubstantiated. The court noted Freeman’s use of strong language but emphasised that there is a vast difference between heated speech and actual threats.
Critical evidence presented during the retrial and police body-worn footage revealed Freeman’s attempt to de-escalate the situation on the night of the disorder. In fact, Freeman had been at Spinney Hill Police Station just hours before the violence erupted, where he was thanked by Leicestershire Police for his role in calming tensions.
Speaking outside the courthouse after the ruling, Freeman expressed his relief and frustration at the prolonged legal battle. “Today, I stand fully exonerated after a long and deeply distressing prosecution by Leicestershire Police. For more than three years, this case has loomed over my family and me, causing immense anxiety and strain. No one should have to endure such an ordeal for standing with their community and working to prevent harm,” Freeman said.
Freeman was visibly shaken by the toll the case had taken on him and his loved ones. “Despite serious provocation, I consistently called for calm, and as the court heard today, I helped save the life of a young Hindu man on the night of the unrest,” Freeman continued. “I worked alongside community leaders, councillors, and the police to de-escalate tensions and protect lives. The evidence made that clear.”
Freeman did not hold back his anger at the injustice he had faced: “I did not incite disorder. Instead, ordinary people were left to protect their communities when the police failed to keep the peace. Instead of reflecting on their own failings, Leicestershire Police chose to pursue someone they had previously relied upon. I am relieved this ordeal has ended, and I hope today’s outcome leads to serious reflection on the real threat of Hindutva extremism, which has been ignored for far too long.”
The Leicester unrest of 2022 was triggered by heightened religious tensions between the Muslim and Hindu communities, inflamed by the arrival of Hindutva ideology in the UK. This radical, supremacist ideology, which has been linked to violent sectarianism in India, found its way onto the streets of Leicester, leading to the violent clashes that Freeman was wrongfully accused of inciting.
On September 17, a mob of approximately 300 BJP and RSS supporters, many of whom were masked and carrying weapons, marched toward a Muslim-majority area in Leicester, chanting provocative slogans. Tensions rapidly escalated, resulting in missile throwing, injuries, and clashes between the two communities.
During the retrial, key witnesses came forward to speak about Freeman’s peacekeeping efforts during the riots. Local Hindu resident Ajay Nagla, who had known Freeman for years, was among the most compelling witnesses. He testified that Freeman was actively working to calm tensions and that right-wing extremists were the primary instigators of the violence.
“I was trying to do the same thing, trying to defuse the situation,” Nagla said. “I did not see Majid use violence. He was working to calm things down.” Nagla’s testimony, along with other local accounts, highlighted Freeman’s heroic role in preventing further bloodshed.
Additionally, a Sky News video from the night of the unrest was presented as key evidence. The footage showed Freeman shielding a local Hindu man, Ram Keshwala, from a violent mob.
The UK Islamic Mission (UKIMC) issued a statement celebrating Freeman’s acquittal, declaring: “This judgment decisively overturns the earlier conviction and marks an important moment of justice. It is a clear rejection of the Hindutva-aligned narrative that sought to portray Muslims as the sole instigators of the unrest.”
Claudia Webbe, the former MP for Leicester East, also expressed her support for Freeman, stating in a statement after the ruling: “As a former MP for Leicester East, I regarded Majid Freeman as a trusted mediator, anti-knife crime campaigner, and community organiser doing good deeds who sought to bring harmony to communities. I welcome his acquittal and was pleased to provide evidence in support.”
Speaking outside the court, Freeman reaffirmed his dedication to empowering the local Muslim community, fostering interfaith dialogue, and championing human rights.
“With the legal victory in this case behind me, I now turn my attention to the upcoming Gaza-related trial in April, where I face accusations of supporting terrorism simply for speaking out against genocide. InshaAllah, I will be exonerated once again,” Freeman declared, expressing his gratitude for the continued support of his community.
DUBAI: Dubai has announced the implementation of a new public safety law introducing stricter regulations for public spaces and events, with fines ranging from AED500 ($136) to AED1 million ($272,000), authorities said.
Under the legislation, repeat violations within one year could result in fines of up to AED2 million, officials added.
The new law, which takes effect across the emirate on June 1, sets out enhanced safety requirements for public venues and gatherings.
The rules were issued by Dubai’s Ruler, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
According to the regulations, public venues and events must ensure safe entry and exit routes, adequate lighting, and capacity limits to prevent overcrowding.
Event organisers will be required to provide firefighting equipment, emergency evacuation plans, first aid facilities, and trained security personnel.
Compliance with safety instructions at public venues has been made mandatory.
The law also requires adherence to designated swimming times at beaches and prohibits access to restricted areas.
Possession of explosives or fireworks without a permit is banned, as is the use and transport of hazardous or flammable materials.
India has allowed an Iranian warship to dock as a humanitarian gesture, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Saturday, after the US sank another Iranian navy vessel off neighbouring Sri Lanka.
The Lavan docked at India’s southern port of Kochi on Wednesday, the same day the US submarine struck Iranian navy frigate Dena, after an urgent request from Tehran, an Indian government source told Reuters.
US President Donald Trump has said destroying the Iranian navy is one aim of the war he and Israel launched against the Islamic Republic a week ago.
The Lavan – an amphibious landing vessel, according to the US Naval Institute’s online news site – and two other ships “were coming in for a fleet review and then they got, in a way, caught on the wrong side of the events,” Jaishankar told the annual Raisina Dialogue event.
“I think we really approached it from the point of view of humanity, of other than whatever the legal issues were,” he said. “I think we did the right thing.”
At least 87 people were killed in the US attack on the Dena in Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone, 19 nautical miles off the coast, outside its maritime boundaries.
India received the docking request for the Lavan on February 28, the day the Iran war started, the source said late on Friday, adding that the request “was urgent as the vessel had developed technical issues”.
Its 183 crew members have been accommodated at naval facilities in Kochi, said the source, who asked not to be identified citing confidentiality.
The Dena was on its way back from a naval exercise organised by India, according to the drill’s website and Sri Lankan officials.
Sri Lankan authorities said on Friday that they were escorting the Iranian naval ship Booshehr to a harbour on the eastern coast and moving most of its crew to a navy camp near Colombo.
- Iran to suspend strikes on neighbours unless attacks from them.
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- Iran envoy says 1,332 Iranian civilians killed in war.
Israel and Iran traded attacks on Saturday as the war entered a second week, while the Islamic Republic made an unusual apology to neighbouring states for its “actions”, apparently seeking to calm regional anger at Iranian strikes on Gulf civilian targets.
“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, urging them not to join US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
He said Iran’s temporary leadership council had agreed to suspend attacks on nearby states unless strikes on Iran originated from their territory.
Hours later, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said their drones struck a US air combat centre at Al Dhafra Air Base, near Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Reuters could not independently verify that report.
Huge explosions were heard in several parts of the Iranian capital, state media reported.
Gulf states hit by drones and missiles
The US-Israeli war on Iran has already spilled beyond Iran’s borders, as Tehran has responded by hitting Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting US military installations and Israel has launched fresh attacks in Lebanon.
The UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have all reported drone and missile attacks over the past week.
Gulf states voiced immediate outrage that their civilian infrastructure — hotels, ports and oil facilities — were struck despite their having had no part in the US-Israeli attacks.
How far Pezeshkian’s statement reflects a decision to back off by Iran, or if it should be read as a warning that Tehran remains ready to strike across the region, is not yet clear, with some strikes still reportedly directed at Gulf states on Saturday morning.
Iran had mended fences with its Gulf neighbours in recent years, including with former regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia — a diplomatic campaign that imploded as the Revolutionary Guards launched a blitz of drones and missiles over the past week.
No deal without surrender, says Trump
While Gulf states host US military bases, they had told Washington they would not allow these to be used for any attacks on Iran.
Iran’s apparent strategy of maximum chaos has driven up the costs of the conflict by raising energy prices, hurting global business and logistics links and shaking trust in the stability of a critical region for the world’s economy.
Pezeshkian’s remarks come as diplomatic prospects for an end to hostilities appear bleak, with US President Donald Trump demanding Tehran’s “unconditional surrender”.
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
“After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” he added.
The US-Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and wounded thousands, according to Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani.
Iranian attacks have killed 11 people in Israel, and at least six US service members have been killed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Pezeshkian over the numerous civilian casualties resulting from “the armed Israeli-American aggression against Iran” and called for an immediate halt to hostilities, the Kremlin said.
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