United Kingdom: judicial crackdown against online instigators of far-right riots

British justice has begun to crack down on those accused of fueling recent far-right riots in the United Kingdom. On Friday, the authorities highlighted exemplary convictions targeting Internet users who incited racial violence online, demonstrating the desire to respond firmly to the crisis that shook the country.

Since the murder of three little girls on July 29, followed by a wave of online misinformation concerning the profile of the suspect, racist violence has broken out in several regions of the country. The unrest led to the arrest of nearly 500 people, of whom around 150 have already been charged. Among them, Jordan Parlor, 28, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for inciting racial hatred on Facebook by calling for attacks on a hotel housing asylum seekers. This is the first conviction of this type since the start of the violence. Another 26-year-old man received an even harsher sentence of three years and two months in prison for inciting the burning of hotels hosting refugees.

These convictions are presented by the authorities as examples of their determination to include Internet users and digital platforms in their judicial response. Charles III, who had until now been silent on the subject, expressed his support for the police for their action against “attacks and delinquency of a small number” during a telephone call from Scotland, where he is on vacation.

In the streets, tension remains palpable. On Friday, in Belfast, demonstrations between anti-racist and anti-immigration protesters took place without incident. The British government is preparing for a potentially turbulent weekend, particularly due to the resumption of the football championship, a sector historically linked to extremist movements.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the effective police and judicial response, saying it had contributed to a notable lull. He also stressed the importance of maintaining high vigilance, as news channels broadcast live some of the hearings, showing rioters receiving their sentences.

The government has warned that social media is not “a lawless zone”, and promised to look into the issue. Voices, like that of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, are already calling for a review of the recent Online Safety Act, passed last year but not yet fully implemented.