Three On Trial After England Flags Allegedly Set Alight In Palestine Protest

Three men have gone on trial at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court accused of tearing down and burning two Union Jack flags from a pub in an act prosecutors described as an attack on the British people.

Zaid Sami, 21, Nour Sami, 20, both of Feltham, alongside Omar Sukkar, 21, of Isleworth, deny a charge of racially-aggravated criminal damage.

The prosecution alleges the defendants, alongside a fourth man, stripped the flags from outside The Fox public house in Twickenham on October 23, 2023 before burning them in an alleyway while shouting "Allahu Akbar", "Free Palestine" and "Stop bombing children".

Prosecutor Mark Mullins told jurors the incident was motivated by hostility towards British people, occurring two weeks after Hamas launched its October 7 attack on Israel.

The court heard former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had delivered speeches on October 19 and October 23 affirming Israel's right to defend itself.

Mr Mullins asserted that the destruction of the flags was an attack on the British people and their way of life, claiming Britain's support for Israel prompted the defendants' actions and that comments made upon their arrest demonstrated hostility towards the country.

Pub landlord Paul Brace gave evidence regarding why the flags were displayed and what they represent. Mr Brace told the jury: "I had two Union Jack flags on poles.

It is a very British street and we also have flags up during the rugby, the Six Nations via the Church Street Association." He added: "I felt it brightened the street up to have the national flags, even when there isn't an event on."

Explaining their significance, he stated: "It is a symbol of our country, what we stand for, our values and is a recognisable symbol around the world, very distinctive." He added: "It was the flag flown at the Battle of Trafalgar and should be flown with a sense of pride."

CCTV footage played to the jury showed Sukkar climbing onto a noticeboard below one flag while Zaid Sami removed the other, damaging the poles and fixings.

Mr Brace told the court he followed four figures into an alleyway, smelling burning nylon and hearing voices shouting "Allahu Akbar". A recording of his 999 call revealed he told operators he did not know if the incident was terror-related.

Witness Peter Lawlor reported seeing four men shortly beforehand, one in an Arab-style scarf, two masked and one hooded, with one stating "F*** the UK".

Police detained the three defendants shortly afterwards, while a fourth suspect escaped. The court heard the men continued making comments about Gaza and Israel following their detention. The prosecution alleges Nour Sami acted as a lookout encouraging the others. The trial continues.