03/10/2008

Men Charged Over 'Mohammed Book' Attack

Three men are due to appear in court today charged with conspiring to damage the home of the publisher of a book about the Prophet Mohammad and his child bride.

Ali Beheshti, 40, unemployed, Abrar Mirza, 22, a phone salesman of Eastfield Road, Walthamstow, east London and 30-year-old minicab driver, Abbas Taj, of Forest Gate London have all been charged by Metropolitan Police.

They are to appear at Westminster Magistrates' today.

The charges relate to a suspected petrol bomb attack at 47 Lonsdale Square, Islington, north London, during the early hours of Saturday morning. The men have been charged with conspiring without lawful excuse to damage the premises between September 8 and 27, intending to destroy or damage property with intent to endanger life, and "being reckless as to whether the life of another would therby be endangered".

Mr Beheshti has also been accused of possessing a weapon "designed or adapted for the discharge of a noxious liquid or gas".

The fire targeted Martin Rynja of publisher Gibson Square who had planned to publish American author Sherry Jones' 'The Jewel of Medina'.

The novel, details the life of A'isha, often referred to as Mohammed's "favourite wife" from the age of six when she was reputedly betrothed to him.

Jones' novel was cancelled in the US in August by publisher Random House, following fears it may offend Muslims.

(JM)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 May 2015
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
24 September 2012
Newcastle United Footballer Charged With Criminal Damage
Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger is facing a charge of criminal damage after police were called to a report of a disturbance at a house in Enfield, north London, in the early hours of Sunday. Scotland Yard said officers arrived at the scene to find the front door of the property badly damaged.
28 January 2011
Seven Charged Following Student Protests
Detectives from Operation Malone have charged seven people in connection with the incidents of disorder seen across central London in November and December of last year. Following a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service, the males were charged with a range of offences, including violent disorder and criminal damage.
19 January 2015
Mobile Customers To Share £1m Refund
Mobile provide EE is to refund around £1m to a number of customers wrongly charged VAT between October 2012 and October 2014. It is understood that EE customers who travelled outside the EU during those dates and used internet data were affected by the charges. The company estimated it as being about 0.5% of its customers.
08 April 2014
Shrien Dewani Extradited To South Africa
British man Shrien Dewani, 34, suspected of arranging the murder of his 28-year-old wife on their honeymoon has arrived in South Africa to face trial after a three-year legal battle against extradition due to his mental health problems.