British man loses citizenship fight over Koran-burning politician threat

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 19:44 · Archive

A British former delivery driver has lost his legal fight to regain citizenship after MI5 deemed him a terror threat over messages about attacking a politician.

A British former delivery driver has lost his legal challenge to regain his UK citizenship after MI5 classified him as a terror threat. Known as J4, the man discussed Danish hard-right politician Rasmus Paludan's plans to burn a Koran in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in March 2023. On WhatsApp and Instagram, he said he was 'gonna try' to attend the demonstration and told contacts he would 'not protest' but 'attack that kuffar', a derogatory term for non-Muslims.

J4 was arrested but released on police bail. The Crown Prosecution Service decided to take no further action and lifted his bail conditions. However, MI5 officials recommended stripping him of citizenship after he travelled abroad on his then-valid British passport, believing the messages showed he intended to commit Islamist terrorist violence in Britain or overseas.

During his appeal to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, his lawyers argued he had no intention to carry out violence and was simply someone who 'shoots his mouth off'. The judges, however, said the messages were a 'plain inference' of his intention to attack Paludan. The Commission rejected his bid to reclaim citizenship.

How it is being reported

• UK man loses citizenship battle after threatening to attack politician who burned KoranThe man, a former delivery driver, was branded a "terror threat" by MI5 before having his British passport stripped.Daily Express · 22 Oct, 19:31
• British man loses fight to regain citizenship after threatening to attack politician who burned KoranA British man has lost his fight to regain his UK citizenship after threatening to attack a Koran-burning politician. The former delivery driver, known as J4, has been branded a "terror threat" by MI5 after discussing a plot against Danish hard-right politician Rasmus Paludan. In March 2023, J4 discussed Mr Paludan's plans to burn a Koran in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on WhatsApp. He sent a contact an Instagram link about the politician and the day after told them on the social media platform he was "gonna try" and attend the demonstration. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say When asked if he…GB News · 21 Oct, 15:33

In this story: J4 · Rasmus Paludan · MI5 · Wakefield · West Yorkshire · Denmark

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