UK soldiers appear in court accused of neo-Nazi offences
Written by News on 13/09/2017
Three men, including two British soldiers, have appeared in court charged with terror offences.
Lance Corporal Mikko Vehvilainen, 32, Private Mark Barrett, 24, and Alexander Deakin, 22, are accused of being part of banned neo-Nazi group National Action.
Vehvilainen, originally from Finland and based at Sennybridge Camp in Brecon, is also charged with possessing a document containing information likely to be useful for terrorism and publishing material which is threatening, abusive or insulting.
Deakin is also charged with possession of documents likely to be useful to a person preparing to commit an act of terrorism, and distribution of a terrorist publication.
He faces a separate charge of inciting racial hatred over allegations he posted National Action stickers at Aston University campus in Birmingham in July last year.
After confirming his identity during the hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Deakin said: "I’m a prisoner of conscience, I believe I’m innocent of these charges."
Barrett, who is based at Gaza Crescent in Dhekelia Garrison, Cyprus, faces a single charge of membership of National Action, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.
Deakin and Vehvilainen made no plea, but Barrett pleaded not guilty.
After the short hearing, Kevin Smallcombe, defence solicitor for Deakin, told Sky News: "These cases are always very difficult and raise complex issues.
"Mr Deakin has been in custody now for over seven days, and there’s a lot of information that’s been put to us, but still an awful lot to come.
"Once that does reach us then we’ll be in a position to advise Mr Deakin fully."
(c) Sky News 2017: UK soldiers appear in court accused of neo-Nazi offences
