British Extremist Admits to Sharing Terrorist Documents
A self-proclaimed right-wing extremist from Britain, who previously resided in Alicante, Spain, has confessed to a UK court that he disseminated a collection of terrorist documents on social media platforms. Kristofer Thomas Kearney, 38, is accused of sharing posts that glorified and incited far-right terror attacks via the messaging service Telegram in January and March 2021. Kearney was extradited from Spain to face charges in the UK in September last year.
Online Alias and Court Proceedings
Known in the digital world as ‘Charlie Big Potatoes’, Kearney, originally from Liverpool, entered his plea at the Old Bailey via video link from Chelmsford prison. His defence lawyer, Ged O’Connor, argued that Kearney was ‘reckless’ about whether his actions would incite terrorism. However, prosecutor Naomi Parsons countered that the Crown’s case was ‘consistent with intent’.
Extensive Far-Right Document Sharing
Kearney is accused of sharing a list and links to nearly 90 far-right documents through his Telegram channel. These documents included the manifestos of Anders Breivik, the perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, and Brenton Tarrant, who carried out the 2019 mosque shootings in New Zealand. Kearney also operated a social media site named Fascist Fitness, where he posted videos, many of which were filmed in Marbella and on the Costa Blanca.
Monitoring and Arrest
The Olive Press kept a close eye on Kearney’s activities for almost a year as he moved between a rented villa in Albir, Alicante province, and Marbella. On January 27, he initially pleaded not guilty to two charges of disseminating a terrorist publication. After entering his guilty pleas, Kearney was remanded in custody until his next hearing at the Old Bailey.
Upcoming Hearing and Sentence
The judge presiding over the case stated that Kearney’s motivation would be determined at a hearing in May before a sentence is passed.
