Anti-Muslim activist sentenced to prison in UK

British anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Monday for violating a court injunction tied to a 2021 libel case involving Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian refugee schoolboy.

The ruling comes after Robinson admitted to breaching the injunction multiple times between February 2023 and July 2024, during which he made defamatory statements about Hijazi.

Judge Jeremy Johnson, who presided over the case at Woolwich Crown Court, noted that Robinson’s actions were “considered, planned, and deliberate,” suggesting he acted as if he were “above the law.” The British government’s Solicitor General pursued legal action against Robinson for inflammatory remarks made in a documentary titled Silenced, which was widely circulated.

Yaxley-Lennon’s sentence could potentially be reduced if he removes copies of the documentary, but he rejected this option during the hearing. His remarks were criticized for inflaming tensions that contributed to recent rioting in Britain, particularly following the tragic murder of three young girls in Southport.

The original libel case stemmed from a viral video in 2018 that depicted Hijazi, 15 at the time, being attacked at school. Following this incident, Robinson claimed that Hijazi “was not innocent” and had “violently attacked young English girls.” These statements, along with other unsubstantiated claims, led to severe repercussions for Hijazi, who stated that he had to change schools and abandon his education due to the backlash.

A judge awarded Hijazi £100,000 in damages, highlighting the negative impact of Robinson’s statements. Despite being ordered to pay legal costs, Robinson claimed he was bankrupt.