Four cautioned over Facebook comments on Azhar Ahmed prosecution

Four people have been cautioned over their response to Facebook comments about the Yorkshire Regiment soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Azhar Ahmed, 19, of Fir Avenue, Ravensthorpe, denies making the initial offensive comments on the social networking site. Ahmed was charged under the Communications Act 2003 for remarks posted just two days after six British soldiers – including three from Huddersfield – died in Lashkar Gar in March this year.

The comments provoked outrage and many Facebook users posted angry replies. Some were subsequently investigated by police.

West Yorkshire Police has now revealed that action has been taken. Four people have been cautioned over “malicious communications.” They were a 63-year-old Liversedge woman; a 19-year-old from Dewsbury; a man aged 23 from Bradford and a 14-year-old Pontefract boy.

A 19-year-old woman from Dewsbury, arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, is currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

There were big protests, led by supporters of the English Defence League, when Ahmed first appeared before Dewsbury magistrates. About 50 far-right protesters staged a noisy demonstration outside Dewsbury magistrates. Some wore military-style uniforms and carried banners supporting British troops.

Huddersfield Examiner, 23 June 2012