Republished May 23, 2018 - 6:58 AM
Original Publication Date May 23, 2018 - 4:46 AM
LONDON - An alleged supporter of the Islamic State group went on trial in London on Wednesday, accused of encouraging attacks on 4-year-old Prince George.
Prosecutors say 32-year-old Husnain Rashid provided an "e-toolkit for terrorism" on an online channel he ran under the name the Lone Mujahid.
Prosecutor Annabel Darlow told a jury that Rashid encouraged attacks on a range of targets, including "injecting poison into supermarket ice creams and targeting Prince George at his first school."
Prosecutors say one post included a photo of the prince, his school's address, a silhouette of a jihadi fighter and the message "even the royal family will not be left alone."
Rashid, a mosque teacher from Nelson in northwest England, is accused of encouraging "lone wolf" attacks and providing advice on using bombs, chemicals and knives.
"He made numerous posts glorifying terrorist atrocities committed successfully against others and encouraging and inciting his readers to plan and commit more successful terror attacks of their own," Darlow said.
Rashid denies preparing terrorist acts, encouraging terrorism and disseminating a terrorist publication.
His trial at London's Woolwich Crown Court is expected to last six weeks.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018