Facebook 4 on trial for inciting UK riots
2011-10-20 23:20
London - A British court says four men accused of posting messages on Facebook encouraging people to loot during the August riots in England will go on trial.
The men, aged 19 to 28, are accused of posting messages such as "Let the looting begin" on the social networking website. They allegedly told people to gather at designated times and places, with one post said to have advised people to bring weapons.
All four deny the charges. They have been granted bail ahead of their court appearances in February.
London and other major English cities were ravaged by arson, disorder and looting on four consecutive days in August.
Five people were killed and scores of stores were broken into, with youths blamed for inciting and carrying out much of the damage.
- AP
