Man charged following incidents targeting Muslim venues in east London

A man has been charged with aggravated criminal damage following a series of incidents targeting Muslim organisations and venues in east London.

Illia Bilyk, 21 (13.03.2005), of Field Road, E7, has been charged with five counts of racially and religiously-aggravated criminal damage, following an investigation by detectives from the Met’s North East Command Unit.

The charges relate to incidents where offensive graffiti was sprayed on the following buildings:

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

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

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.”