Freedom-of-speech protester arrested at Danish embassy

A PROTESTER for freedom of speech yesterday described how he was arrested after attempting to mount a counter-demonstration outside the Danish embassy in London last week.

The man who gave his name only as John was one of two people arrested during last Friday's demonstration, in which placards were brandished demanding the murder of those responsible for cartoons of the prophet Mohammed printed in a Danish newspaper.

Meanwhile, a student who dressed as a suicide bomber during the demonstration against the cartoons was sent back to prison.

Omar Khayam, 22, was photographed in London at the weekend wearing an imitation suicide bombing outfit to denounce the caricatures.

The two counter-demonstraters were detained by police minutes after starting to hand out leaflets carrying copies of the cartoons which have sparked furious protests around the world.

The leaflets carried slogans such as, "Free speech or no free speech? You decide".

John said police told them they were being arrested on suspicion of inciting a breach of the peace, as well as for their own safety.

No arrests were made of those carrying placards bearing messages threatening a repeat of the September 11 and July 7 outrages and demanding the beheading of anyone insulting the prophet.

John told the BBC Radio 4: "We didn't go there with the intention of provoking people, we went there with the intention of making a point about free speech and, ideally, engaging people in a discussion.

In 2002, Mr Khayam was given six years in prison for possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply and had been on licence after being released last year.

On Monday he apologised "wholeheartedly" for his behaviour in London but was yesterday rearrested for breaching parole.

Muslim groups were swift to condemn demonstrators in London at the weekend who threatened violence.

Iqbal Sacranie, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, said mainstream British Muslims were "deeply hurt" by both the cartoons and the "disgraceful actions of a tiny group of extremists".