A five-year prison sentence has been handed down to an Afghan national who posted a TikTok video containing a ‘chilling’ threat to kill Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Fayaz Khan, aged 26, was convicted at London’s Southwark Crown Court of making threats to kill and attempting to enter Britain illegally.
The Threat and Its Genesis
The dramatic confrontation played out online after Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in British politics, uploaded a YouTube video on October 12, 2024, titled “the journey of an illegal migrant”. This video highlighted Khan’s social media content detailing his attempts to reach the UK and referred to “young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little”.
Two days later, Khan responded with a TikTok video that prosecutors described as a direct threat. In the clip, Khan, who has an AK-47 assault rifle tattooed on his face, stated, “Englishman Nigel, don’t talk shit about me. You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister. You not know me. Don’t talk about me more. Delete the video. I’m coming to England. I’m going to pop, pop, pop”. During the video, Khan made gun gestures with his hand and headbutted the camera, explicitly pointing to his facial tattoo to “emphasise he wasn’t joking”. Khan, who used the TikTok username “madapasa” and had amassed hundreds of thousands of views online, denied the charge, claiming he was merely playing a character and that the video was not a genuine threat.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Following a trial, a jury found Fayaz Khan guilty by a majority of 10 to two of making threats to kill. He had previously pleaded guilty to the separate charge of attempting to enter the UK illegally, having arrived on a small boat.
At Southwark Crown Court, Judge Karen Steyn sentenced Khan to five years in prison for both offences combined. The judge remarked that Khan’s video was not merely abuse but “a threat to kill with a firearm and it was, as Mr Farage put it, ‘pretty chilling'”. Khan was also found to have provided a false name and age to British authorities upon his arrival, with Swedish authorities believing him to be Fayaz Husseini, aged 31, and possessing a criminal record in Sweden.
Nigel Farage’s Account
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, attended the sentencing hearing, accompanied by security guards. He testified that he was “genuinely worried” by the TikTok video, describing it as “chilling”. He told the court that the direct threat, combined with Khan’s “proximity to guns and love of guns,” caused him concern. Speaking after the sentencing, Farage stated he was “happy with the win” but expressed “deeply, deeply concerned” that Khan might be released in 18 months.
The Defendant’s Background and Criminal History
The court heard that Khan, an Afghan national, had a history of online activity, frequently posting about his journey to the UK. His criminal record in Sweden includes convictions for threats, carrying a knife, and vandalism, with records suggesting 17 offences across 12 separate occasions. While Khan claimed he used a false name because he had “enemies he did not want to find him,” the prosecution argued it was more likely due to his prior criminal record.
Broader Implications and Online Discourse
This case highlights the increasing use of social media platforms like TikTok for disseminating threats, often directed at public figures. The swift nature of online content and its wide reach present significant challenges for law enforcement. The sentencing of Fayaz Khan serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences for those who make violent threats online, particularly when they escalate from online commentary to direct intimidation. The incident underscores the ongoing news cycle surrounding online radicalisation and the security measures required for political personalities in the digital age, where threats can quickly become trending topics. The London court’s firm stance in this case sends a clear message about the seriousness with which such online threats are being treated.
Khan shouted at Farage and the judge as he was led away, reportedly accusing Farage of wanting to “use me because you want to be prime minister” and stating, “You fucked my life”. Despite his outburst, the court’s judgment has been welcomed by authorities, including a Home Office spokesperson who stated that “Threatening violence against anyone… is never acceptable”.
