A Scottish man is currently facing a terrorism charge in Belfast court after allegedly posting an execution list on a Republican group’s Facebook page. Andrew Stephen Rae, a 43-year-old from Glasgow, appeared at Laganside Court in Belfast on December 10. He has been charged with possessing documents or records useful to terrorism, specifically for having a document containing a list of alleged drug dealers in Belfast with a threat of execution dated back to March 2022.
According to reports from Belfast Live, a detective from the PSNI discovered a post on a Facebook page set up by the Republican Activist Coalition on August 30, 2021. The post mentioned naming alleged drug dealers in Belfast and hinted at their execution. Subsequently, a screenshot of an image with a list of 25 names of alleged drug dealers in Belfast was posted on the page by a Facebook user named ‘Andy Rae’ on August 31, 2021. This image included a mention of ‘The Republican Movement’ and threats of execution for those listed.
Following an investigation, officers from the PSNI and Police Scotland attended Rae’s address in Glasgow on March 22, 2022. Rae admitted during a police interview that he had posted the list on the Facebook page, claiming he thought the individuals had already been named elsewhere. The prosecution argued that the list and threats made by Rae were not typical documents in public possession and could be useful to a terrorist group looking to enforce their kind of justice in the community.
The prosecution further revealed that the individuals named on the list had been informed by the police about the threats prior to the Facebook post. Rae’s mobile phone, seized during the investigation, still contained the image of the list he posted in August 2021. The prosecution emphasised the seriousness of the case, stating that such actions could aid terrorist groups in carrying out acts of violence.
In conclusion, Rae’s trial sheds light on the potential implications of social media posts that incite violence or terrorism. It serves as a reminder of the responsibility individuals hold when sharing information online and the serious consequences that may follow. Such cases highlight the importance of vigilance and caution in the digital age to prevent the spread of harmful or dangerous content.