A Leicester man appears in court charged with terror offences

Majid Novsarka, 36, is accused of showing support for Hamas

A Leicester man who is accused of being a Hamas supporter has appeared in court charged with terror offences.

Majid Novsarka, also known as Majid Freeman, 36, of Cecil Road, Leicester, stood trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with encouraging terrorism and supporting a banned organisation.

Prosecutors say that on various dates between December 26 last year and June 20, he expressed an opinion or belief in favor of Hamas, which is a banned terrorist organization.

The court also heard that on March 11, Novsarka is accused of posting a statement on social media in connection with the deadly 2015 attack on the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, encouraging people to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism.

The defendant, who was arrested on July 9 following an investigation by East Midlands Counter-Terrorism Police, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and did not enter a plea.

Novsarka was granted conditional bail and must live at his home address and not post on social media.

He will next appear at the Old Bailey on August 16.

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