‘Extremist encouraged terrorism’ with sword speech at UK mosque

Speech by Abubaker Deghayes in Brighton ‘demonstrated extreme views’

Abubaker Deghayes, 53, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court in London. Alamy

A man made a stabbing gesture as he called for death “by sword” when addressing people at a busy mosque in an English coastal city, a court in London heard.

The trial opened on Tuesday of Abubaker Deghayes, 53, who is accused of encouraging terrorism at the Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre.

The case against Mr Deghayes was outlined by prosecutor Ben Lloyd. He told London’s Central Criminal Court that about 50 people, including children and young adults, were present when Mr Deghayes stood up after evening prayers on Sunday, November 1, 2020.

In a video of the speech played to the jury, Mr Deghayes said: “Whose power is more powerful than us? Allah is more powerful than you. You, idiots. You kuffar [non-believers]. The non-believer is an idiot. He’s stupid.”

Mr Deghayes said attacks would remain compulsory “until the Day of Resurrection”.

Mr Lloyd said the speech was not delivered “innocently or naively”.

“The prosecution case is clear. By the defendant's words and gestures he was encouraging people to undertake violent jihad,” he said.

“The defendant’s speech demonstrates him to be an Islamic extremist. He is someone who believes in the use of violence in the cause of Islam.

“Or, at the very least, he was reckless in giving his speech as to whether people would be encouraged.”

The accused, of Saltdean in East Sussex, denies the charge against him.

The case continues.