Amidst the chaos and unrest that gripped England during the tumultuous summer riots, a disturbing incident has come to light—one that exposes the growing tensions between far-right groups and immigrant communities. Habeeb Khan, a 49-year-old resident of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for threatening violence against the English Defence League (EDL) while brandishing a decommissioned AK-47 rifle.
Inflammatory Video Goes Viral
The incident came to the attention of authorities after an inflammatory video featuring Khan went viral on social media, amassing over 1.4 million views on a single far-right account on X (formerly Twitter). In the 11-second clip played before Birmingham Crown Court, Khan can be seen fitting a magazine to the Kalashnikov rifle and issuing a chilling threat:
“EDL, we’re coming to fucking blow you away you motherfuckers.”
The video, which also contained threats directed at Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the now-defunct EDL, circulated rapidly on far-right social media channels. One account shared the clip with an ominous message:
“The most serious threat to protesters everywhere. This Muslim has an automatic assault rifle and says he’s coming for the EDL. All mosques need raiding now.”
Arrest and Revelations
Khan was arrested on August 7, just two days after the serious riots in the nearby Bordesley Green area of Birmingham. During the arrest, police recovered the rifle featured in the video, which was revealed to be a decommissioned, non-functioning weapon. Prosecutor Laurie Scott informed the court that the gun was “in effect ornamental” and incapable of firing live rounds.
When confronted by officers, Khan initially downplayed his actions, stating, “all I have done is make a little video.” However, as a crowd gathered during the arrest, he began “playing up” to the audience.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
At a previous hearing, Khan pleaded guilty to making threats of death or serious harm, a violation of the Online Safety Act. He also admitted to threatening behavior related to homophobic and abusive comments made after police took him to the hospital on the day of his arrest.
During the sentencing, Khan’s defense counsel, Sunit Sandhu, highlighted his client’s health issues, including bipolar disorder and cellulitis. Sandhu stated that Khan had pleaded guilty on the basis of being reckless and not uploading the video himself, emphasizing his remorse for his actions.
Judge Melbourne Inman KC acknowledged the heightened social tensions that formed the backdrop for Khan’s actions, describing the case as one of many arising from the civil unrest following the tragic events in Southport on July 29. Sentencing Khan to 27 months in prison, the judge admonished him for his reckless behavior during a time of “extremely heightened social tension.”
The Broader Context
Khan’s case is just one of over 900 that have been brought before the courts in connection with the summer riots, which erupted after the murder of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club in Southport. As of early December, 649 cases had concluded, with 494 defendants receiving prison sentences.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the simmering tensions between far-right groups and immigrant communities in England, particularly in the wake of the tragic events that sparked the riots. It also highlights the role that social media platforms play in amplifying and disseminating inflammatory content, fueling further division and unrest.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the summer riots and seeks to address the underlying social issues, cases like Habeeb Khan’s underscore the urgent need for dialogue, understanding, and a concerted effort to bridge the growing divides within British society.
