AhlulBayt News Agency: A 23-year-old woman has been arrested in the United Kingdom in connection with online comments regarding plans to convert a former pub in Leicester into a mosque, according to Leicestershire Police.
The conversion plan, approved by Leicester City Council’s planning committee last Wednesday, permits The Glen—an unused pub on Hillsborough Road in Glen Parva—to be transformed into a place of worship by the Eyres Monsell Community Foundation. The pub has been closed since 2022.
Planning documents show that the foundation has been operating in the Eyres Monsell area since 2019. With increasing attendance, especially for Friday prayers, many worshippers have reportedly been turned away due to limited space.
On Saturday, police stated that online comments related to the mosque development led to the woman’s arrest on suspicion of sending threatening communications.
Authorities confirmed Monday that she remains on bail while investigations continue.
A spokesperson for the South Leicester beat team explained that while most online reactions were lawful, a “small number” of posts were found to be “encouraging or inciting people to engage in criminal activity” in an attempt to prevent the mosque project.
The spokesperson stressed that “it is an offence to encourage or incite people to break the law,” adding that officers would take appropriate action against violators. The public was urged to be mindful of their comments on social media.
In response to the situation, local police have increased patrols in the area to reassure the community.
No further details have been released regarding the ongoing investigation.
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