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April 9, 2008

UK: Muslim Police Officer "Joined In" Mosque Brawl

On April 9 last year, as reported by the BBC and the Birmingham Mail at the time, a brawl took place outside a mosque in Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

The rioting involved up to 200 people and lasted for five hours. It was the second time in two years that violence had erupted around the Central Mosque (Central Jamia Masjid Rizvia) in Uxbridge Street in Burton. Several people were injured.

Chief Superintendent Keith Smy said: "I am appalled that this is the second time in two years this on going dispute within the community has led to violence erupting on the streets of Burton. It is a matter of great regret that many people lost control and seemed not prepared to use the well understood methods of resolving issues within their community but instead were prepared to resort to threats and violence."

On April 3 last week, five men appeared at Birmingham Crown Court. Four of these have all been charged with "violent disorder" in connection with the violence which took place a year ago. A 54 year old, Mohammed Arif, is charged with "affray".

His Honour John Maxwell is the trial judge and on Tuesday last week he swore in the jury of seven men and five women. He dismissed the jury until Monday of this week while legal issues were discussed.

The four who are on trial for "violent disorder" include 23-year old Tamseel Mahmood of Derby Road, Burton on Trent, and 33-year old Basharat Hussain of Uxbridge Street. Shockingly, the other two are a magistrate and a policeman. The magistrate is 46-year old Mohammad Haroon of Thornescroft Gardens, Branston, and the policeman is 39-year old Tariq Hussain of Anglesey Road. Hussain is currently based at Tamworth, where he is a detective sergeant with Staffordshire Police. Basharat Hussain is the policeman's brother. Basharat Hussain is additionally charged with two counts of intimidation. It is alleged that he made threats to kill during the disturbance.

The trial is expected to last for four weeks. The key prosecution witness is Chief Inspector Steven Mould (retired). He recounted at the start of the trial that he and Inspector John Giblin had "lost control" of the situation outside of the mosque.

Steven Mould told the court that he had feared for his own safety and blamed Mohammed Arif for causing the disorder by throwing punches. The argument at the mosque had related to two factions inside the mosque - some supporting, and some condemning, the behaviour of the imam at the mosque, Mohammad Farooq Nazami. In 2004 there had been an earlier confrontation between rival factions, which had led to the mosque being closed for three months on police orders. A peace deal involving the mosque and police had broken down before the violent incident on April 9 last year.

Earlier, prosecutor Stephen Thomas had told the court that Basharat Hussain had taken part in the disorder and had later threatened to kill Sajad Hussain, a witness. 23-year old Tamseel Mahmood had hit someone in the eye, and Mohammad Haroon (the magistrate) had also taken part in the unrest.

Inspector Mould claimed that he had done everything "humanly possible" to keep the situation under control, but he testified that the rioters "took over" and "seized the day".

He also said that the detective sergeant, Tariq Hussain, had once received a commendation from the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police. Shortly before the mosque fracas, Hussain had been promoted to the position of acting police inspector.

Inspector Mould asserted that Mohammed Arif had tried to punch an elderly worshipper at the mosque who had previously tried to close the mosque gates, actions which Arif had assumed were "insulting". The origins of the bad feeling derived from an argument between the imam (Mohammad Farooq Nazami) and Mohammed Arif and another man called "Clay Oven" Tariq.

Former Inspector Mould said that on April 9 when the disorder erupted: "Fights were breaking out all over and people clambering over the tops of parked cars. At least one man had armed himself with a shovel and was waving it around."

"Mohammad Haroon (the magistrate) was seen shouting and swearing. Mahmood was spotted punching someone in the eye and Tariq Hussein approached Inspector Mould and, pointing his finger at him, blamed him for what was happening and accused him of taking bribes and being corrupt."

The former police inspector said of the actions of policeman Tariq Hussain: "He was acting like an antagonist and yob."

When Inspector Mould had asked Hussain to assist in restoring order, the request was ignored. He took part in the violence, repeatedly throwing punches. The prosecutor said: "Off duty he may have been, but he was asked to help restore calm and he just walked off."

Mr Thomas stated: "Prominent in the disorder was Tariq Hussain, who was recognised by Inspector Mould, because he was a police officer for Staffordshire police. He was seen to punch someone repeatedly and aggressively simply to get involved in the fighting for no good reason whatsoever."

Mr Thomas said that Mohammed Arif had laid in wait for the imam outside the mosque with 10 others. Policie had to use batons and CS gas to quell the affray.

Basharat Hussain, the brother of the policeman has been charged with threatening to kill witness Sajad Hussain on two separate occasions.

The case continues.

Keyword: Hussein.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at April 9, 2008 7:57 PM

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Posted by: Utrinque at April 13, 2008 8:55 AM

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