Akhmed Yakoob, a controversial lawyer and political activist, was interrogated by West Midlands Police after participating in a heated protest concerning the ongoing Iran crisis. During the demonstration, held outside a mosque in Birmingham, an Israeli flag was set ablaze alongside chants such as “Death to the IDF” and “Bomb Tel Aviv.”
Yakoob was summoned to Bournville police station for questioning related to his involvement in the event. Afterward, he stated he was facing no charges and maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing.
The protest was organized by Yakoob and fellow activist Shakeel Afsar in front of the Imam Reza Cultural Centre, where mourners gathered to honor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s recently deceased supreme leader. Khamenei’s death followed recent US and Israeli airstrikes, and his son has now been named as his successor.
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Supporters at the vigil carried Palestinian flags and displayed signs condemning leaders such as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. At one point, a group of men ignited an Israeli flag, an act that Yakoob and Afsar appeared to endorse.
The mosque has been a focal point for ongoing protests led by Iranian refugees living in Birmingham. These refugees denounce the Iranian regime’s harsh repression of dissent, including human rights abuses and severe restrictions on women. Many have shared horrifying accounts of violence and persecution by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard, prompting them to seek asylum in the UK. They express hope for a return to a monarchy-based democracy in Iran, celebrating their vision during gatherings in Birmingham.
Yakoob and Afsar, who are planning to run for seats on Birmingham City Council, initiated a counter-protest alongside Independent Alliance candidates, including Shahid Butt, a former convicted terrorist.
Throughout the protest, which was monitored by police, inflammatory slogans against Israel echoed loudly. Signs reading “We stand with Iran” and “You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an ideology” highlighted the demonstrators’ sentiments. Others accused exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi of being an “Iranian Zionist Puppet” and called for an end to US-led military interventions.
In a video shared on TikTok and Instagram, Yakoob documented his arrival at the police station, asserting his innocence and implying there was no valid reason for his personal questioning about the chants and flag burning, which another individual had carried out, though Yakoob was filmed celebrating the act.
Upon leaving the station, Yakoob insisted that burning the Israeli flag and chanting “Death to the IDF” are not racially or religiously motivated crimes. He expressed no ill will toward the police but condemned what he described as the “barbaric Israeli regime” for killing civilians in Iran and Gaza.
West Midlands Police were contacted for comment regarding the protest and any potential charges. They had previously stated they were investigating possible racially or religiously aggravated public order offenses connected to the event.