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theguardian.com

Covid Denier Jailed for Terrorism

A Covid denier is jailed for encouraging terrorism through violent online posts targeting prominent figures.

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English

United Kingdom

JusticeHealthUkTerrorismExtremismConspiracyOnline Violence

Crown Prosecution ServicePfizerAstrazenecaUk GovernmentOld Bailey

Patrick RuaneChris WhittyBoris JohnsonBethan DavidJulia Faure Walker

What charges was Ruane convicted and acquitted of?: Ruane was convicted of encouraging terrorism but cleared of collecting information useful to a terrorist. His defense argued his film work provided a reasonable excuse for possessing materials related to explosives.
What was Patrick Ruane's sentence and the reason for it?: Patrick Ruane, a Covid denier, was jailed for five years for encouraging terrorism through online posts. His messages targeted prominent figures like Chris Whitty and advocated violence against them.
How did Ruane spread his messages, and what was their content?: Ruane's social media posts, shared across Telegram groups with thousands of users, contained violent threats and calls for action against government officials and vaccine developers.
How did the Crown Prosecution Service describe Ruane and his actions?: The Crown Prosecution Service described Ruane as a "dangerous man" who prolifically encouraged violence based on his conspiracy theories. His actions highlight the dangers of online extremism.
What did the judge say about Ruane's state of mind and the danger of his messages?: The judge deemed Ruane's messages "extremely dangerous" and highlighted his "compulsive and obsessive" mindset, noting that he often posted while intoxicated.

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