UK court clears British activist Majid Freeman over role in Leicester riots Submitted by Areeb Ullah on Mon, 01/12/2026 - 16:42 Freeman was cleared of all charges after a judge rejected police claims he incited violence during Hindu-Muslim tensions in the city Majid Freeman (centre) standing outside Leicestershire Crown Court after he was exonerated of all public offence charges, on 9 January 2026 (Supplied) Off An English court on Friday found a pro- Palestine activist not guilty after he was charged by Leicestershire police with a public order offence related to riots that took place in Leicester in 2022. Majid Freeman was exonerated of all charges, following a retrial, after Leicester Crown Court found there was no evidence to prove the Leicester-based activist’s guilt. During a final summary, judge Robert Brown praised Freeman for his community work and described him as a “bridge-builder” between the Muslim and Hindu communities in Leicester. “We have listened with great care to the evidence provided by Mr Freeman. As a witness, he has impressed us,” said Brown. “He was measured, restrained, and showed humility when providing evidence. And it is apparent to us that he has been, on multiple occasions, a bridge-builder, working with the police, to ensure there was harmony in his community.” During the appeal, the court heard claims made by the police that Freeman pushed an officer, swore at them, and incited a fight with his language on the day of the Leicester riots in 2022. Freeman admitted using bad language, but the judge acknowledged a clear distinction between foul language and threatening behaviour. Speaking outside the court, Freeman spoke of his relief at the outcome and thanked his supporters who “stood by him during [his] three-year ordeal”. Freeman also described the case against him as “deeply troubling” and reiterated that he did not “incite disorder” and tried to protect different communities in Leicester when the “police failed to keep the peace”. "For more than three years, this case has hung over me and my family, causing immense anxiety and strain,” said Freeman. “I helped save the life of a young Hindu man on the night of the unrest. I worked alongside community leaders, councillors and the police to de-escalate tensions and protect life. The evidence made that clear. “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. “I hope today’s outcome leads to serious reflection and that the real threat of Hindutva extremism is no longer ignored.” Leicester riots The court also heard from several witnesses, including members of Leicester’s Hindu community and former Leicester MP Claudia Webb, who spoke in defence of Freeman. Leicester Muslims blame Hindutva extremism and police failures for 2022 unrest Read More » Freeman’s case marks the end of a three-year prosecution after Leicester experienced heightened tensions between the city’s Hindu and Muslim communities. The 2022 riots began when nearly 200 Hindu men wearing masks and balaclavas marched through Leicester’s Highfield area, chanting "Jai Shri Ram", which translates from Hindi to "hail Lord Ram" or "victory to Lord Ram", words that are increasingly appropriated by perpetrators of anti-Muslim violence in India. Following the march, some Muslims came out onto the streets, leading to scuffles between the two groups. Last year, a leaked report produced by the UK Home Office stated that "Hindu nationalist extremism" played a part in the 2022 unrest, identifying it as a proposed target for British counter-extremism efforts for the first time. Details of the leaked internal review into the British government's counter-extremism strategy were published by Policy Exchange, a right-wing think tank. It advocated a focus on “behaviours and activity of concern” rather than ideologies. The Home Office review called for the scope of counter-extremism work to be widened to cover a range of causes and activities, including Hindutva (Hindu nationalism), extreme misogyny, and a fascination with violence. The publication of this report comes after the UK Indian Muslim Council, alongside 200 other Muslim organisations in Leicester, decided not to engage with the government-led inquiry into the unrest, due to deep concerns over the choice of chair and his previous Islamophobic remarks. UK Politics News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0