Rapper jailed for making online threats in 'menacing video' during summer disorder in Birmingham

Omar Abdirizak was sentenced to 20 weeks at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Friday after being found guilty of sending an offensive or menacing message on social media in January, as well as admitting possession of cannabis and a racially aggravated public order offence.

The 31-year-old, of Long Street in Birmingham, was arrested on August 10, the same day that he posted the video on TikTok, in which he made a rifle gestures and imitated firing a gun in the video.

Abdirizak, known as Twista Cheese, made rifle gestures and imitated firing a gun in the video, which was shared on 10 August last year.

During the trial in January, the court heard the video, which attracted more than two million views, was reposted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, alongside a claim that it was a threat to murder him due to "lies" by the media and politicians.

During the trial, prosecutors told the court references to guns and artillery made by the Birmingham-based rapper meant it had crossed the line from freedom of speech into criminality.

Abdirizak said he had decided to make the video and publicise his music on YouTube and TikTok to his 20,000 followers "to put Tommy Robinson in his place".

He said he made it after seeing footage of broadcaster Piers Morgan and influencer Andrew Tate discussing issues connected to last summer's riots.

Abdirizak denied making a gun gesture in the video and said the references to artillery were an encouragement to viewers to seek out a music video made in Somalia, which featured rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "A musician who made online threats during the summer disorder in Birmingham has been jailed for more than four months.

"Omar Abdirizak, aged 31, made a rifle gestures and imitated firing a gun in the video, which was shared on 10 August last year.

"He was arrested the same day, and was found guilty of sending an offensive or menacing message on social media in January.

"Abdirizak, of Long Street, Birmingham, was jailed for 20 weeks at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday (7 March).

"He had also admitted possession of cannabis and a racially aggravated public order offence.

"Ten people have now been convicted following our investigation in to the disorder which happened in Bordesley Green, and across the country, in August."