Man who Called for Muslims to be Killed After Manchester Bombing Jailed

A man who posted a Facebook message calling for all British Muslims to be killed in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Keegan Jakovlevs, 22, of Wrexham, North Wales, was sentenced today (Thursday 7 September) at Mold Crown Court after he pleaded guilty at a hearing in August to publishing material with the intention of stirring up religious hatred.

He posted his message shortly after the bombing which happened on the night of 22 May. The message was taken down shortly afterwards.

Jakovlevs' Facebook message expressed sympathy for the families of those caught up in the bombing but then, using racist and offensive language, he called for every Muslim in the country to be killed.

The prosecution argued that Jakovlevs's single message was particularly serious because it was posted so soon after the Manchester bombing when public emotions were running high.

His message was accessible to his 2,154 Facebook friends at the very least and to other members of the public. Overall, there was potential for it to have been seen by a very large number of people and for serious harm to have occurred in addition to the obvious fear and distress suffered by any member of the Muslim community who may have seen it.

Sue Hemming, from the CPS, said: "After the Manchester attack there were countless messages of support on social media for those affected but Keegan Jakovlevs chose to stir up religious hatred by calling for British Muslims to be indiscriminately killed.

"No harmful consequences appear to have resulted but his intention was clear and he pleaded guilty once he saw the CPS's case against him.

"People should not assume they can hide on social media when stirring up hatred and violence. Where there is evidence the CPS will prosecute them and they will face imprisonment as a result."