Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Six individuals are facing charges related to terrorism offences for their alleged support of the banned organization Palestine Action, according to the Metropolitan Police. The charges stem from public gatherings held in London, Manchester, and Cardiff during the summer, as well as a planned demonstration scheduled for this weekend in London. All six individuals were charged on Wednesday as part of an investigation led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
The offences in question involve the organization of public demonstrations and the management of 13 Zoom meetings between July and August in support of the proscribed group. The six individuals were previously arrested at various locations in London, Cumbria, and South Yorkshire on Tuesday. They are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. In a related investigation led by Police Scotland, another man was also charged on Tuesday.
Det Ch Supt Helen Flanagan emphasized that the charges stem from a proactive investigation into suspected activity associated with Palestine Action. She warned of the serious consequences for individuals found guilty of offences under the Terrorism Act. Flanagan stated that Palestine Action is designated as a terrorist group, and individuals showing support for the group can expect to face arrest, investigation, and prosecution.
The arrests of spokespeople from the advocacy group Defend Our Juries were deemed “scandalous,” with the organization expressing its intention to move forward with the planned demonstration on Saturday expecting over 1,000 attendees. Since the proscription of Palestine Action on July 5, more than 700 individuals have been arrested by the Met. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper banned the group under terrorism laws following an incident where paint was sprayed on jets at RAF Brize Norton, causing £7m in damage.
Claims by lawyers representing Palestine Action’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, argue that the ban infringes on the right to free speech and stifles legitimate protest. The government maintains that the ban is necessary to target a group engaged in serious criminal activities. Membership or support for Palestine Action is now considered a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. While the group was granted permission to challenge the ban in court last month, the ban remains in effect pending a full review at the High Court in November
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.