Hampshire Man Arrested Over Mikaeel Kular Facebook Post

20 January 2014, 06:25

A 19-year-old man from Hampshire has been arrested over a racist Facebook comment about the death of Mikaeel Kular.

The boy was reported missing from his Edinburgh home last Thursday morning (16 January), prompting a major search operation. His body was later found around 25 miles away in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

On Saturday night, Police Scotland said a 33-year-old woman had been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel's death. She is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said:
 
"We received a call on Saturday night (January 18, 2014) reporting a racially offensive comment posted on Facebook that could relate to the death of Mikaeel Kular in Scotland."
 
"We are investigating the message to assess whether any criminal offences have been committed.
 
"A 19-year-old man was arrested in Hampshire on Saturday night (January 18, 2014) on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred.
 
"He was questioned at a police station in Hampshire and later released on police bail until the last week in January 2014 pending further enquiries.
 
"Hampshire Constabulary is in contact with Police Scotland about this investigation."

Separately, a 26-year-old man from Derbyshire has also been questioned and bailed by police there, over a tweet about the toddler's death.