Moscow – Sputnik. In July, the British authorities listed the ‘Palestine Action’ movement as a terrorist organization. Membership in or support for the movement has become a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The gathering in London was part of a campaign launched by the ‘Defense of Juries’ organization, which advocates for justice.
The ‘Defense of Juries’ organization expected participation in the protest, given that there are about 520 free cells within the Metropolitan Police. Previously, the police had released detainees on bail from similar events. Earlier, the police stated that the protest organizers are trying to increase pressure on the already burdened justice system.
At the same time, the police confirmed that they will perform their duties according to the law and will arrest anyone expressing support for the Palestine movement. Dominic Murphy, Head of the Counter-Terrorism Command of the Metropolitan Police, on Thursday, urged movement supporters wishing to participate in Saturday’s march to ‘consider the potential criminal consequences of their actions.’
The Palestine movement was banned after activists broke into Brize Norton, the largest Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, and damaged two Airbus Voyager refueling aircraft using a crowbar, spraying red paint on their turbines. They stated that this action was driven by the daily flights conducted by the British Royal Air Force from Brize Norton to Akrotiri in Cyprus, which are involved in military operations in Gaza.
