Birmingham jury fails to convict pro-Palestine activist accused of supporting Hamas
The article centers the defendant's framing and welcome of retrial, positioning the jury's inability to convict as vindication. Language choices like 'fails to convict' (rather than 'hung jury') and the prominent placement of Freeman's statement about Israel's actions in Gaza frame the outcome favorably toward the accused. The article provides minimal context from prosecution or law enforcement perspectives, and the headline emphasizes the failed conviction rather than the serious terrorism-related charges.
Primary voices: activist or advocacy figure, media outlet
- This article does not address the specific content of the posts that prompted charges or prosecution arguments about why they constituted support for a proscribed organization
- This article does not include statements from UK law enforcement, the Crown Prosecution Service, or security officials regarding the case or its implications
- This article does not explain the legal standards for 'encouraging terrorism' or 'supporting a proscribed organisation' under UK law
Framing may shift significantly depending on retrial outcome and evidence presented, which could substantially alter the narrative positioning.
Activist-sourcedDissenting framingCharged language
A jury was unable to convict a Palestinian activist who stands accused of supporting terrorism and encouraging support for a proscribed organisation - prompting a retrial.
Majid Freeman, also known as Majid Novsarka, from Leicester, appeared before Birmingham Crown Court on charges related to posts he made on X and Instagram in 2023 and 2024 for a two-week trial.
The activist faced charges of deliberately encouraging terrorism and openly supporting Hamas - claims the 38-year-old denied.
But after more than 13 and a half hours of deliberation, jurors told the court they could not reach a majority decision on any of the charges.
Outside the court, Freeman said he welcomed the "opportunity of a retrial, because it means the evidence of what Israel has done to Gaza...will once again be placed before a jury of the British public".
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