Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, told a court he genuinely feared for his life after receiving death threats from an Afghan migrant in a TikTok video that went viral last year.
The 26-year-old migrant, Fayaz Khan—also known online as Madapasa—is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court on charges of making threats to kill, which he denies.
The Incident
The confrontation began when Farage posted content on social media highlighting Khan’s case after the migrant announced his intention to travel to the United Kingdom. Khan, who had spent the previous six years moving between Sweden, Germany, and France, was making his way to Britain and documenting his journey on TikTok, where he had built a following as a wannabe influencer.
Farage expressed concern about Khan entering the country, noting the migrant’s distinctive appearance—including an AK-47 tattoo on his left cheek—and videos showing him with firearms. The politician questioned whether such an individual should be allowed into the UK.
Khan’s Response
Khan responded with a furious video directed at Farage, stating: “English man Nigel, do not talk s*** about me. I want to marry with your sister. I am going to come to England, I’m gonna pop pop pop.”
The video concluded with Khan headbutting the camera screen.
Farage’s Testimony
Appearing before jurors at Southwark Crown Court, Farage described his reaction to the threatening video as one of genuine alarm.
“I thought the response was pretty chilling,” Farage testified. “It was everywhere, my phone was going ping ping ping because I obviously highlighted the case.”
The politician explained that he interpreted Khan’s words and gestures as a direct threat to shoot him. “I believe this man to be a gangster with a violent history. I was very worried indeed… I interpreted what he said that he was going to shoot me.”
Farage acknowledged that as a high-profile politician, he regularly receives hostile messages and abuse. However, he said Khan’s video stood out because of its specific, direct nature.
“What you don’t see is an individual on social media saying they are coming for you directly and secondly the means by which they are going to do it,” he told the court. “Given his proximity and love of guns, I was genuinely, genuinely worried.”
The Defense
Defense counsel Charles Royle suggested that Farage had posted about Khan because it “suits your narrative” regarding immigration policy. Farage denied this assertion.
Royle also remarked that “nobody has come to harm from a tattoo,” to which Farage responded: “Do they have that tattoo at your local golf club? I doubt it. People have their own tastes, but that is pretty exceptional.”
Farage noted that Khan’s reference to “marrying” his sister appeared to be a euphemism, and suggested that other videos featuring Khan with women indicated misogynistic attitudes.
Khan’s Defense
Khan was arrested upon landing in the UK on October 31 of last year. According to testimony, he claimed he had been sent Farage’s video but believed it was fake.
The defense argued that Khan’s “pop pop pop” phrase was not related to guns, and that he was not making gun gestures in the video. Khan also stated he did not know who Farage was at the time of making the video.
Throughout the proceedings, Khan required assistance from a Dari language interpreter, though the court heard he possesses “some English.”
Trial Details
The Honourable Mrs Justice Steyn, presiding over the case, informed jurors that Farage is “a well-known politician” whom they would “probably have heard” of. However, jurors were not questioned about their political views before being sworn in.
The judge issued warnings to jurors not to conduct independent research on the case and specifically instructed them not to use ChatGPT or any other artificial intelligence service to assist with their deliberations.
The trial is scheduled to conclude today Friday.
