3 Muslims guilty of anti-gay leaflets

DERBY, England, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Three Muslim men were convicted Friday in England of handing out leaflets suggesting homosexuals should be executed.

Ihjaz Ali, Kabir Ahmed and Razwan Javed were the first to be found guilty under a law that took effect in 2010 that criminalizes stirring up hatred based on sexual orientation, The Daily Telegraph. A jury in Derby Crown Court acquitted two other defendants.

The leaflet was illustrated with a picture of a hanging mannequin and quoted Islamic texts advocating capital punishment for homosexuality. The headline read: "The Death Penalty?"

Bobbie Cheema, the prosecutor, in her final argument said "live and let live" is a fundamental principle in a democratic society. She said the defendants exhibited "the antithesis of that approach to life."

"The vast majority of Muslims and indeed other religious people or people with no religion but who have firm views about homosexuality are able to express their views if they wish to in a lawful, moderate and self-controlled way," Cheema said. "The Death Penalty leaflet goes well beyond any such temperate discussion."

Ali arranged for the production of the leaflets, aimed at building a protest against a 2010 Gay Pride Parade in Derby. Witnesses said police advised him to consult a lawyer before making a final decision on the contents of the leaflets.