London:

A British Army veteran Adam Smith-Connor is facing court for praying silently outside an abortion facility in Bournemouth. According to the legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom in the United Kingdom (ADF UK), Smith-Connor pleaded "not guilty" to charges of breaking a municipal rule that created a "safe zone" next to the abortion facility. Any expression of approval or disapproval of abortion is forbidden by the rule, and this includes praying.

Connors’ lawyers said the entire case was a violation of his fundamental right to freedom of thought. "By allowing the criminal prosecution of silent prayer, we are sailing into dangerous waters when it comes to the protection of human rights in the UK," legal counsel of ADF UK Jeremiah Igunnubole said. "Censorship zones are inherently wrong and create useless legal confusion regarding the right to think freely. Both national and international law have long established freedom of thought as an absolute right in which the state should never interfere," Igunnubole said.

A recording of Smith-Connor's encounter with the police officers who harassed him while he silently prayed was obtained by ADF UK. The soldier is shown in the film stating that he was praying for his own experience with abortion." Smith-Connor received a fine, despite having been at the scene for a short time. "You might think this is a story from Orwell's 1984, but this is happening in England in 2023," Smith-Connor said.

"’ Thought crimes' should not be prosecuted in the UK. Britain has a history of defending human rights of which we can be proud and respected for the freedom I fought to defend when I served this country for twenty years in the army reserves, including Afghanistan. I fought to defend our freedoms, but now my freedom of thought is in danger," Smith-Connor added.