Police arrested a Christian pastor after he commented on Islam and transgender ideology while street preaching in Bristol city centre.
Pastor Dia Moodley, 58, was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police officers last November in Broadmead on suspicion of “inciting religious hatred” under the Public Order Act 1986.
The arrest was justified for his speech of “anti-islam and transgender rhetoric,” on suspicion of inciting religious hatred, despite the fact that he had “merely publicly shared his Christian views”.
Pastor Moodley said: “This latest arrest has had a profoundly negative effect on me and has been extremely challenging personally.
“I am a law-abiding citizen and it feels surreal that the police have criminalised me so harshly and repeatedly merely for peacefully expressing my Christian views in the public square.
“Unfortunately, I believe that the police view me, a Christian pastor, as an easy target and are afraid of others being offended by my lawful speech. This is two-tier policing in action.”
The pastor, who suffers from a heart condition, was held in a police cell for eight hours before being released under censorial bail conditions, banning him from entering and therefore preaching in Bristol city centre over the Christmas period.
The bail conditions were dropped after Pastor Moodley made representations to the police, but two police officers later visited his home on January 8, questioned him further on the November incident, and invited him to a voluntary interview under caution.
ADF International
ADF International is providing legal support to Pastor Moodley, who is considering legal action against the police for the violation of his free speech rights, currently waiting to hear whether he will be criminally charged for his peaceful speech.
This is the second time Avon and Somerset Police officers have arrested Pastor Moodley for street preaching.
In March 2025, the pastor was twice threatened with arrest for “breaching the peace”, after preaching about the differences between Christianity and Islam while holding a Koran.
He was the victim of assault on that occasion by Muslim bystanders and one man even threatened to stab the pastor, none of whom were arrested.
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF International, said: “Pastor Dia’s arrest for peacefully commenting on Islam and transgender ideology shows police are using public order legislation to impose de facto blasphemy laws in the UK.
“This is far from an isolated incident. It is part of a clear pattern of behaviour from Avon and Somerset Police, who for years have targeted Pastor Dia for his peaceful expression in the public square and have failed in their duty to investigate serious crimes committed against him, by those who objected to his speech.
“There has long been a pressing need for Parliament to pass legislation to ensure the right to freedom of expression is robustly protected in this country.
Pastor Moodley was arrested once again on November 22 last year
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ADF International
“Pastor Dia’s case shows how authorities can misconstrue peaceful comments on Islam as hateful and criminal.
“This misconstruction will be repeated unless clarity is provided to preserve the ability of citizens to peacefully comment, discuss and criticise in accordance with their core beliefs”.
After Pastor Moodley’s first arrest in March 2024, the police instructed that his signs, which he used while street preaching, be destroyed.
Pastor Moodley often engages in dialogue with members of the public during street preaching, and the vast majority of his interactions are positive, even if the people he speaks with hold different views.
Avon and Somerset Police have been contacted for comment.