A British Muslim called for the murder of American and Danish people during a protest against cartoons portraying the Prophet Muhammad, the Old Bailey was told today.

The court heard that Umran Javed, one of the leaders of a demonstration in London, attempted to rally a crowd to launch terrorist attacks, shouting: "Bomb, bomb Denmark. Bomb, bomb USA".

Mr Javed, 27, from Birmingham, denies charges of soliciting murder and stirring up racial hatred.

David Perry QC, for the prosecution, said that the demonstration of Muslims on February 3 last year was organised in order to protest about the cartoons, which were published in Denmark and then re-produced in some other European countries. Muslims are forbidden from making images of the Prophet.

He said that Mr Javed, who was recorded on video by the police and arrested later, used a loudhailer to address around 40 people outside the Danish embassy in Sloane Street, Knightsbridge. "He addressed the crowd in terms which encouraged killing and incited racial hatred," said Mr Perry.

Mr Javad continued with his speech as the crowd were joined by 200-300 other Muslims who had marched from the central mosque in Regent’s Park, the court was told.

He condemned the cartoons as dishonouring Muhammad and accused "non-believers of declaring war against Islam and the Muslim community," said Mr Perry. "He said disbelievers would pay a heavy price... and said Denmark would pay with blood."

Mr Javed allegedly told his audience to learn lessons from the murder of a Dutch film director and the slaughter of Jews. He shouted: "Bomb, bomb Denmark. Bomb, bomb USA" – calls which were met with similar declarations and chants from the crowd.

Mr Perry said that the case was not about freedom of assembly or freedom of speech, saying that the words used were plainly criminal. "The words used were straightforward and plain. If you shout out ‘bomb, bomb Denmark; bomb, bomb USA’, there is no doubt about what you intend your audience to understand.

"The prosecution case is that the defendant was clearly encouraging people to commit murder - terrorist killing," he said.

The case continues.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• What makes the perfect mum?
• To keep me stress-free, no more awareness days, please
• What do lottery winners buy?