An illegal Channel migrant sporting an AK-47 tattoo on his cheek has been convicted of threatening to murder Nigel Farage after posting a chilling TikTok video aimed at the Reform UK leader.
Fayaz Khan, a 26-year-old Afghan national, recorded the menacing footage last October whilst still in France, mimicking gun gestures and repeatedly saying “pop pop pop” whilst pointing at his weapon tattoo and threatening the politician.
The social media post came after Mr Farage had shared a YouTube video highlighting Khan’s attempts to reach Britain illegally by small boat. Khan’s response was unequivocal, telling the MP to stop discussing him and making crude comments about Mr Farage’s sister.
During the video, Khan headbutted the camera and made shooting motions with his fingers whilst issuing his threats. The footage was viewed by millions of Khan’s TikTok followers before he successfully made the crossing to Britain later that month.
Mr Farage told Southwark Crown Court the video left him genuinely fearful for his safety. The Reform leader, who has faced numerous threats throughout his political career, said this incident felt different and more credible given Khan’s obvious fascination with firearms.
Prosecutors argued Khan’s behaviour was deliberately intimidating and his claim that “pop pop pop” was merely his signature sign-off was absurd. Peter Ratliff, prosecuting, told jurors the gun gestures and facial tattoo made Khan’s intent crystal clear.
The defence attempted to paint Khan as simply an attention-seeking social media personality whose videos often featured similar gestures and sounds. Charles Royle, defending, suggested prosecutors had simply taken Mr Farage’s interpretation at face value without properly examining the context.
Khan refused to testify in his own defence, though he had previously told investigators he didn’t even recognise who Nigel Farage was, a claim prosecutors dismissed as laughable given his video directly responded to the politician’s content.
After deliberating for nearly 12 hours, ten of the twelve jurors agreed Khan was guilty of making threats to kill. He had already admitted entering Britain illegally when he was arrested shortly after his Channel crossing.
The Crown Prosecution Service hailed the conviction as an important message that politicians must be protected from intimidation and violence. Khan faces sentencing next Tuesday for both offences.
Khan had previously spent five years living in Sweden before deciding to attempt the perilous Channel crossing to reach the UK, raising questions about his motivations for risking the journey.
The case has reignited debate about security threats facing British politicians, particularly those who take strong public stances on controversial issues like illegal immigration.
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