In a recent visit to Woodhill Prison, Petr Bystron, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), met with British activist Tommy Robinson, who is currently incarcerated. Robinson, known for his controversial documentaries that critique Islam, has faced significant backlash for his work.
Bystron characterized Robinson as a “journalist” and praised him for his “outstanding documentary” work, claiming that he was convicted solely for his published statements. During his visit, Bystron condemned the harsh conditions Robinson endures, including six months in solitary confinement, which he labeled as “degrading.”
According to Bystron, Robinson is completely isolated and barred from using the gym due to “Islamists” being housed in the same wing. He also mentioned that Robinson is subjected to humiliating searches after visits. Bystron asserted that Robinson’s trial is politically motivated, despite five witnesses affirming the factual accuracy of his documentary, Silenced.
Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner.
He was convicted for sharing his video Silenced, even with corroborating witness testimonies supporting its authenticity. His imprisonment stems from his refusal to retract the video.
The documentary Silenced has garnered a staggering viewership of 170 million, bolstered by endorsements from figures like Elon Musk, who helped share the film on his platform and provided legal support for Robinson. Bystron pointed to this as a testament to the importance of sharing the truth, encouraging audiences to view and disseminate the film widely.
That is true civil courage.
Despite the challenging circumstances and his solitary confinement, Robinson remains steadfast in his commitment to advocate for freedom of speech upon his release. He aligns himself with the conservative movement in Europe, where concerns regarding the increasing restrictions on free expression are becoming more pronounced.
Robinson has made the issue of grooming gangs a focal point of his activism, highlighting a significant social problem in the UK. Cases such as those in Rotherham, where between 1997 and 2013 over 1,400 girls were victims of sexual exploitation by predominantly Pakistani gangs, underscore the urgency of addressing these issues.
In 2022, he led a protest in Telford in response to another child sexual exploitation scandal, showcasing his documentary The Rape of Britain: Survivor Stories, which features testimonies from victims. Supporters view him as a champion for these victims, while organizations like Hope Not Hate criticize him for allegedly using such issues to propagate anti-Islam sentiments that foster division.
Across Europe, the suppression of dissenting voices and critical journalists remains a troubling trend. Recent examples include the imprisonment of blogger Shlomo and the seven-month suspended sentence handed to Deutschland Kurier editor-in-chief David Bendels for a satirical post, highlighting the broader issue of free speech within the EU.
Even while incarcerated, Robinson has not forfeited his fighting spirit.
In the European Parliament, efforts continue to ensure that voices like Tommy Robinson’s do not go unheard. There is a commitment to defending freedom of expression and to the depoliticization of the judiciary.
