Police have dropped charges against a Christian pastor following a monthslong investigation into his street preaching.
Dia Moodley, 58, was arrested on November 22 and detained on suspicion of “inciting religious hatred” after peacefully sharing his Christian views in Bristol center city. After four months of criminal investigation, police with Avon and Somerset informed Moodley that “no further action will be taken,” according to a news release from Alliance Defending Freedom International, which defended him in the case.
“I’m glad Avon and Somerset Police decided to eventually do the right thing and drop their criminal investigation,” Moodley said in a statement. “This is a win for free speech, but I never should have been arrested, treated like a criminal, and investigated for months for peacefully sharing my faith in the public square.”
Accusations
Moodley was accused of preaching against transgender ideology, comparing Christianity with Islam and committing a Section 4A religiously aggravated public order offense under the Public Order Act of 1986. He was arrested after a bystander appeared to reach for the wire of his speaker, and he reportedly pushed her away.
He was held for eight hours in a police cell, interrogated by police, and initially placed under bail conditions that restricted him from entering Bristol city center over Christmas, said ADF International.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Decision Magazine.
