Introduction to the Case
A Tarrant County pro-Palestinian activist who was charged with and later acquitted of a hate crime for writing an anti-Israel message on a church was arrested again and is charged with lying on the stand during his trial. Raunaq Alam, 32, was found guilty earlier this month of criminal mischief for vandalizing Uncommon Church, a nondenominational congregation in Euless. He was initially arrested in March 2024 on misdemeanor vandalism charges, which were later upgraded to felony charges after the amount of estimated damage was increased from less than $750 to $1,700.
Allegations and Charges
Prosecutors also alleged Alam specifically targeted the church, which was flying an Israeli flag at the time of the vandalism, because of his “bias or prejudice” against people of “the state of Israel or Jewish faith.” The case drew international attention over questions of whether criticism of Israel amounts to antisemitism. Israel has faced sharp rebuke from across the globe over accusations it’s committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks.
Trial and Conviction
During the trial, Alam’s defense never denied the vandalism charge but argued that Alam was not antisemitic and was instead criticizing the government of Israel. The message spray-painted said “F— Israel.” A jury later rejected the hate crime enhancement. Following his conviction, he was sentenced to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but the jury later suspended the sentence, giving Alam 180 days in jail and five years probation.
Probation and Restitution
Additionally, Alam was ordered to pay $1,700 of restitution to the church, serve 180 hours of community service and submit to regular drug testing and was banned from church grounds as part of his probation. In a new indictment issued Wednesday, Alam is charged with aggravated perjury and is accused of lying on the stand during his trial about using psilocybin mushrooms, a drug that causes hallucinations.
New Indictment and Charges
After he was arrested in March 2024 over the vandalism, Alam faced a charge of possession of a controlled substance for allegedly possessing mushrooms, but court records show that Alam was never indicted on the charge. The case was dismissed. But Alam would later be reindicted on a controlled substance charge stemming from the same incident; in addition to the aggravated perjury charge, the possession of controlled substance charge is also listed on Alam’s jail log at the Tarrant County jail, where he has been since his arrest Wednesday.
Questions About Drug Use
Questions about Alam’s drug use took up over an hour of his trial after Alam took the stand in his own defense, according to KERA. Prosecutors questioned Alam over text messages he allegedly sent friends in which he spoke of using mushrooms and MDMA, more commonly known as molly or ecstasy, at raves. Alam said he did not recall sending the messages and at one point suggested someone else may have sent them, KERA reported.
Lawyer’s Response
Adwoa Asante, Alam’s lawyer, told The Dallas Morning News that charging Alam with perjury amounted to “prosecutorial vindictiveness and prosecutorial retaliation” and said prosecutors were seeking to imprison him because they failed to prove the hate crime enhancement. She also alleged Alam is being held in maximum security at the Tarrant County jail. His bail was set at $40,000 at a court hearing on Friday, according to Tarrant County jail records.
Prosecution’s Response
“The jury gave him probation,” Asante said. “They recognized, at the end of the day, this is a spray paint case. At the same time, we have the judiciary going behind the jury’s back and giving him time to do, and now, with this new arrest, he’s in maximum security.” A spokesperson with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office said in an email that the district attorney’s office sought the charge after several jurors from Alam’s trial requested the district attorney’s office refer a perjury charge to a grand jury.
Other Charges
In addition to Alam, two others were charged with vandalizing the church.
Conclusion
The case of Raunaq Alam has drawn international attention and raised questions about the limits of free speech and the definition of antisemitism. Alam’s arrest and conviction have sparked debate about the role of protests and activism in society, and the consequences of speaking out against governments and their policies.
FAQs
Q: What was Raunaq Alam charged with?
A: Alam was initially charged with misdemeanor vandalism, which was later upgraded to felony charges. He was also charged with a hate crime, but the jury rejected this enhancement. Additionally, he was charged with aggravated perjury and possession of a controlled substance.
Q: What did Alam’s defense argue during the trial?
A: Alam’s defense argued that he was not antisemitic and was instead criticizing the government of Israel.
Q: What was the outcome of Alam’s trial?
A: Alam was found guilty of criminal mischief and was sentenced to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. However, the jury later suspended the sentence, giving Alam 180 days in jail and five years probation.
Q: What is the current status of Alam’s case?
A: Alam is currently being held in maximum security at the Tarrant County jail and has been charged with aggravated perjury and possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $40,000.
Q: What are the implications of Alam’s case?
A: Alam’s case has raised questions about the limits of free speech and the definition of antisemitism. It has also sparked debate about the role of protests and activism in society, and the consequences of speaking out against governments and their policies.
