Murad Ali, the UK leader of the Pakistan-based extremist movement Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) , has been formally charged with racially and religiously aggravated harassment by the UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
According to the police, Murad Ali is accused of harassing a Pakistani businessman and his family on the bases of their religious beliefs, in a manner deemed aggravated by race and religion related hate crimes.
CPS said in a statement: “Murad Ali (dob: 15/05/1990) has been charged with racially/religiously aggravated harassment without violence. He appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court. Ali pleaded not guilty to racially/religiously aggravated harassment without violence. He is next due to appear for a Pre-trial preparation hearing (PTPH) on 18 August at Harrow Crown Court. He was given conditional bail by the court.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that the charge relates to non-violent but targeted harassment aggravated by racial and religious motives. While no physical assault is alleged, UK law treats harassment with such aggravating factors seriously. If found guilty, Ali could face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine. TLP is banned in the UK as an extremist and terrorist organisation.
Metropolitan Police source said the police started investigating Murad Ali after he started harassing the victim, a Pakistani origin showbiz promoter and his colleagues, in public areas and live on TikTok and What’sapp groups, inciting religious and sectarian hate against them to cause them harm and loss of business and opportunities. Police started investigating Murad Ali in June 2024 and found that in hundreds of social media posts he had harassed and attacked the victim.
The charge carries serious implications under UK law—racially or religiously aggravated harassment is viewed as an elevated offence, potentially punishable by up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. Police said it will not disclose the identity of the victim, citing safety and privacy considerations.
Murad Ali took leadership of TLP UK in recent years, promoting the group’s hardline brand of activism, targeting Pakistanis from minority faiths and sects, calling them non-Muslims liable for death punishment and lynching.
Police source said Murad Ali was arrested from his home and stayed in detention for a few days before he was released on bail. The force emphasized its commitment to protecting communities from hate crime in all forms.
