Man сharged over series of attacks on Muslim venues in east London

A 21-year-old man has been charged with racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage following a series of incidents targeting Muslim organisations and venues in east London, the Metropolitan Police announced.

Illia Bilyk, 21, of Field Road, E7, has been charged with five counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage following an investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s North East Command Unit.

The charges relate to incidents in which offensive graffiti was sprayed on five buildings in east London.

The locations and dates were:

• Stratford Islamic Association on Brydges Road, E15, on January 23, 2025;
• Al-Birr Mosque on Church Road, E10, on January 23, 2025;
• Leyton Jamia Masjid on High Road, E10, on January 23, 2025;
• Noor Ul Islam Primary School on Dawlish Road, E10, on January 25, 2025; and
• Islamic Shariah Council on Francis Road, E10, on January 25, 2025.

Bilyk is due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 17.

Chief Superintendent Rhona Hunt, who leads policing in the area, said:

“We recognise that these incidents caused significant distress within Muslim communities across east London last year and that they continue to cause concern.

"Anti-Muslim hate crime and Islamophobia have absolutely no place in London. We are committed to tackling hate crime while supporting and reassuring our communities.

"We would encourage anyone with concerns, or who has experienced or witnessed anti-Muslim hate crime, to contact police and report it.”

By Tamilla Hasanova