Islamic influencer who helped defeat Labour's Jon Ashworth is charged with terror-related offences after posting support for 'Palestinian resistance organisations' online
An Islamic influencer, whose viral video contributed to the defeat of Labour's Shadow Paymaster General Jon Ashworth, has been charged with terror-related offences.
In a statement, Leicester Police said that Majid Novsarka, better known as Majid Freeman, had been charged with encouragement of terrorism and supporting a proscribed organization.
The 36-year-old has made social media posts in support for what he calls 'Palestinian resistance organisations' since the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel.
In a statement, Leicester Police said: 'A man has been charged following a warrant being executed at an address in Cecil Road, Leicester.
'Majid Novsarka, also known as Majid Freeman, 36, of Cecil Road, Leicester, has been charged with encouragement of terrorism and supporting a proscribed organization.
Islamic influencer Majid Novsarka, better known as Majid Freeman, had been charged with encouragement of terrorism and supporting a proscribed organization
Labour 's former Shadow Paymaster General Jon Ashworth lost is seat in the general election after featuring in the viral video by the Islamic influencer Majid Novsarka
'He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 24 July.'
Hamas's political wing was designated a terrorist organisation by Priti Patel in November 2021.
During the election campaign, Freeman supported the pro-Palestine independent candidate in Leicester South, Shockat Adam.
He produced one of the big shocks of the night when he overhauled a 22,675 Labour majority to defeat Ashworth, one of Keir Starmer's key strategists.
On winning the seat, he shouted: 'This is for Gaza.'
On June 21, Freeman confronted Ashworth as he canvassed in the constituency and a video of the incident went viral with 1.4 million views on X alone.
It begins with Freeman asking Ashworth, 'Do you condemn Netanyahu, yes or no?'
On June 21, Freeman confronted Ashworth as he canvassed in the constituency and a video of the incident went viral with 1.4 million views on X alone. Pictured is the moment the former MP was filmed
Ashworth's response is to start filming the protesters with his own commentary as he walks next to a park with his team.
'You see, I am not going to have these guys bully me off the streets,' he says.
Freeman says: 'No one is bullying you, it is a simple question. We are asking you why you abstained for the vote, to vote for the ceasefire. It is a simple question.'
Smirking, Ashworth says: 'We are going to stand up to these loud mouths and stand up to these bullies.'
An infuriated Freeman can be heard asking: 'So me asking you why you abstained on the Gaza vote is bullying you. How is that bullying you?
'We have every right to question why you didn't represent us in Parliament.'
Ashworth continued speaking to his phone saying: 'If you want these people to win this election. If you want the bullies and the loud mouths to win this election, you've got to come out and vote against it.'
Freeman tells him: 'You've got the blood of Palestinian men, women and children on your hands. He's a disgrace.'
As Ashworth finishes speaking to his camera, Freeman can be heard asking: 'Why can't you condemn Netanyahu? Why is asking why you abstained on a vote bullying?'
Posting it on X, Freeman wrote: 'Bumped into Labour MP Jon Ashworth who was canvassing in Leicester. Elderly Muslim uncles who prev supported Jon came out to ask why he abstained from the (Palestine flag) ceasefire vote so he resorted to playing the victim by saying we were bullying and intimidating him. We have every right to Q you.'
It went on: 'Shame on the Muslim councillors and locals who are canvassing for Jon despite him abstaining from the (Palestine flag) ceasefire vote. It's about time the community starts to call them out instead of giving them a pass. They're making the conscious decision to go out and support the Labour Party.'
After news of his arrest broke, Ashworth, who was made Chief Executive of the Labour Together think tank after his defeat, posted on X: 'This is deeply disturbing & alarming.
'The safety of people must always come first.'
His intervention was criticized by Cage International, an NGO set up to challenge the 'War on Terror' and lobby for political prisoners.
Last week, Ashworth's support fell by 34.1 per cent and he lost his seat to Adam by 979 votes.
Adam is a former Chair of Leicester's Muslim Engagement and Development, an NGO tasked with media monitoring and advocacy work.
His brother Ismail, an optician, founded the Leicester-based Friends of Al Aqsa NGO which has been prominent at all of the pro-Palestine demonstrations.
