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British science teacher charged for terrorism threats against Zimbabwe
07 Feb 2021 at 02:18hrs | Views
A Zimbabwean-born British science teacher and opposition political activist has been indicted on four charges of inciting terrorism after allegedly urging his Facebook followers to stage a violent uprising against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government.
William Chinyanga, 50, was arraigned following his arrest last year over videos he is said to have posted in December 2019, instigating people back in Zimbabwe to burn down petrol stations and businesses.
Chinyanga, based in Archway, North London, appeared for his preliminary hearing before a judge in Old Bailey on Friday, The Daily Mail reported.
He was arrested on February 25 last year by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
In a Saturday Twitter post, for which he was counseled by one follower that he was likely violating his bail conditions, Chinyanga appeared undaunted, suggesting the use of force to topple despots was acceptable.
"There are two ways of removing dictators, military attack by NATO, or economic static by civilians. [as national lockdown, Arab uprising, Siege] The unworkable ways are imposing sanctions and elections. Ma10 (sic)," Chinyanga wrote.
Prosecutors charge that in a video titled ‘The Roadmap to Zimbabwean Freedom', the defendant called on viewers to torch buses, petrol stations, fuel tankers, and buildings to exert political pressure, the British newspaper said.
The court also heard that Chinyanga, who only spoke to confirm his identity, is a campaigner for political change in his home country.
He was granted conditional bail.
Chinyanga's trial will commence provisionally on January 10, 2022, with a further preparatory hearing on May 28, it was reported.
William Chinyanga, 50, was arraigned following his arrest last year over videos he is said to have posted in December 2019, instigating people back in Zimbabwe to burn down petrol stations and businesses.
Chinyanga, based in Archway, North London, appeared for his preliminary hearing before a judge in Old Bailey on Friday, The Daily Mail reported.
He was arrested on February 25 last year by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
In a Saturday Twitter post, for which he was counseled by one follower that he was likely violating his bail conditions, Chinyanga appeared undaunted, suggesting the use of force to topple despots was acceptable.
Prosecutors charge that in a video titled ‘The Roadmap to Zimbabwean Freedom', the defendant called on viewers to torch buses, petrol stations, fuel tankers, and buildings to exert political pressure, the British newspaper said.
The court also heard that Chinyanga, who only spoke to confirm his identity, is a campaigner for political change in his home country.
He was granted conditional bail.
Chinyanga's trial will commence provisionally on January 10, 2022, with a further preparatory hearing on May 28, it was reported.
Source - mailonline
