Terror suspect, 43, accused of sharing video on WhatsApp which featured leader of Boko Haram claimed it was ‘comedy’ court hears
- Shakil Chapra spoke only to confirm his name and address in court earlier today
- He gave no indication of a plea during the five minute hearing in Westminster
- He was remanded in custody ahead of hearing at the Old Bailey on November 20
A terror suspect accused of posting an Islamist video on WhatsApp claimed it was ‘comedy’, a court heard.
Shakil Chapra, 43, is accused of disseminating the clip featuring the leader of Boko Haram ‘aggressively’ advocating extreme Islam.
Chapra, who was arrested yesterday, spoke only to confirm his name and address during a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
He gave no indication of a plea during the five minute hearing after the charge was read to him.
Shakil Chapra is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, charged with a terror offence
Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Policing South East charged Chapra with one count of dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Standing in the dock sporting a dark long beard and a white and blue long sleeve t-shirt, Chapra elected a Crown Court trial despite being advised otherwise.
Louise Gray, prosecuting, said: ‘A video was posted.
‘It was about one minute three seconds long and it shows five people behaving very angrily and aggressively.
‘When he was interviewed about this matter he gave two quite lengthy interviews.’
Chapra told police the video was ‘for comedy and to provoke ideological argument.’
Chapra, of Tintern Close, Slough, Berkshire, faces one count of dissemination of terrorist publications.
He was remanded in custody ahead of a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on November 20.