LONDON: Three men were remanded in custody Friday after being charged by British police with conspiring to damage the home and office of the publisher of a novel about the Prophet Mohamed and his child bride.
The trio were arrested in north London on Saturday under anti-terrorism legislation after a fire at the offices of the Gibson Square publishing house, and were charged on Thursday.
Ali Beheshti, an unemployed 40-year-old, 22-year-old phone salesman Abrar Mirza and 30-year-old mini-cab driver Abbas Taj stand accused of conspiring to damage the property, intending to destroy or damage the premises with intent to endanger life, and recklessness as to whether other lives would be endangered.
Beheshti faces a further charge of possession of a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of a noxious liquid or gas.
Gibson Square is responsible for the publication of The Jewel of Medina – a fictional account of the Prophet s relationship with his youngest bride Aisha – by American author Sherry Jones.
Random House announced last month it had cancelled publication of the book in the United States because of fears of violence.
The Jewel of Medina was re-released in Serbia in September after being withdrawn a month earlier under pressure from Islamic leaders.
Gibson Square is known for having published other controversial books such as Blowing Up Russia by former KGB agent turned Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko. – AFP
