UK Police Charge 2 Over Offensive Tweets

Two arrested over tweets. File photo of twitter icons as two men have been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after anti-semitic messages were posted on Twitter following a match between Tottenham Hotspu... Two arrested over tweets. File photo of twitter icons as two men have been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after anti-semitic messages were posted on Twitter following a match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham. Issue date: Friday December 13, 2013. Scotland Yard said the men, aged 24 and 22, were arrested at their homes in Croydon and Wiltshire respectively, in connection with the tweets, which made reference to Hitler and gas chambers. See PA story POLICE Twitter. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire URN:18465640 MORE LESS
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LONDON (AP) — British police will charge two people over a storm of offensive tweets sent to a feminist activist, an online onslaught that sparked a national debate over the limits of free speech and pushed Twitter to revamp its abuse reporting worldwide.

Prosecutors said in a statement Monday that 23-year-old Isabella Sorley and 25-year-old John Nimmo, both from northern England, would be charged with “improper use of a communications network” over messages to Caroline Criado-Perez.

Two other suspects will not be charged, while the statement said a fifth was still being investigated.

Criado-Perez was one of several women who went public earlier this year to complain about sexually explicit abuse received on Twitter from online bullies and provocateurs, often nicknamed “trolls.” Twitter responded in August by making it easier to report abuse.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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