PA mediaA rapper who posted a “threatening” video on social media aimed at former England Defense League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, has been found guilty.
In it, he mentioned cannons and made gun gestures while shouting “pow, pow, pow.”
Omar Abdirizak, 31, denied sending messages of a threatening nature in breach of the Communications Act 2003.
However, Birmingham Magistrates Court found him guilty after a two-hour trial.
The court heard the video, which has been viewed more than two million times, was reposted by Yaxley-Lennon with claims that it was a “lie” death threat from the media and politicians.
Prosecutor Tim Talbot-Webb told the court that references to guns and cannons by the Birmingham-based rapper known as Twista Cheese crossed the line from free speech to criminality.
Abdirizak denied making any direct threats against Yaxley-Lennon.
The drill rapper said he decided to make the video and promote his music to his 20,000 followers on YouTube and TikTok “to put Tommy Robinson in my place.”
He said he made the decision after watching footage of broadcaster Piers Morgan and influencer Andrew Tate discussing issues related to last summer’s riots.
In the one-minute video, Abdirizak, wearing a patterned hoodie and gray jogging pants, said he was a Somali pirate.
He also said he had a message for Yaxley-Lennon, adding: “There are Muslims on every corner” and “look at our artillery”.
He told the court: “Even though I’m saying ‘bang, bang, bang,’ this is all entertainment.”
background of summer riots
The singer, of Longstreet, Sparkbrook, denied making the shooting gesture in the video and said the references to cannons prompted viewers to request a Somali-made music video featuring rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. He said it was encouraged.
But Mr Talbot-Webb reminded the court that the video was taken targeting mosques and other sites during the summer riots.
“The king maintains that the references to pirates and artillery may very well have caused fears of serious violence among the public who saw them,” he said.
Mr Abdirizak was granted conditional bail and is due to be sentenced on February 12 after the court raised concerns about “hidden disabilities” that needed to be investigated, including mental health issues.
He will also be sentenced for marijuana possession and racially aggravated public order offenses.
