Iranian State TV employee arrested ‘on suspicion of inciting racial hatred’

An employee of Iranian State television who celebrated the 7 October mass-terror attacks against Israel and regularly fulminates about “Jewish supremacy” in the UK has reportedly been arrested by West Midlands Police today as she was on her way to address the launch meeting of the “Anti-Zionist Movement”.

Latifa Abouchakra, who works as a ‘reporter’ for Press TV, was one of the speakers due to address the opening meeting of the organisation today in Birmingham. The original venue for the meeting, The Old Print Works, cancelled the booking last week after widespread outcry due to the nature of the group and those associated. Apart from Abouchakra, this includes David Miller, who sacked by the University of Bristol in 2021 and now produces a show for Iranian State television, and Rahmeh Aladwan, a doctor who was suspended by a medical tribunal in December for 15 months while the General Medical Council undertakes a full review into her conduct. Aladwan was arrested twice last year, on suspicion of offences including malicious communications and inciting racial hatred. Both Miller and Aladwan also regular promote conspiracy theories about “Jewish supremacy” in the UK.

Following the withdrawal of The Old Print Works, the “Anti-Zionist Movement” posted on social media, saying: “Catch us if you can. Venue will ONLY be announced to ticket holders on the day.”

In a statement this afternoon, West Midlands police said:

“This afternoon we have arrested a woman from London on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, as part of our policing response to a planned gathering in Birmingham.

“The woman, aged 35, was held in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham at around 2.30pm. Officers acting on information that she was due to attend a launch event for the ‘Anti-Zionist Movement’ stopped a car she was travelling in and detained her.

“She was wanted by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of a Public Order Act offence, as part of an investigation by the London force into speeches and social media posts made between May and October last year in the capital and Birmingham.

“Our officers continue to work to understand the plans of the organisers of today’s event, which has been advertised as taking place in the Moseley area of Birmingham. We have a policing operation in place and continue to liaise with key stakeholders, including members of the local Jewish community.”

Abouchakra has previously described herself online as “a 35 year old Palestinian refugee”.

On 7 October 2023, she posted of herself beaming while saying “nothing will ever be able to take back this moment, this moment of triumph, this moment of resistance, this moment of surprise, this moment of humiliation on behalf of the Zionist entity. Nothing. Ever.”

Jewish News understands that Abouchakra has since been transferred to the custody of the Metropolitan Police. A 42-year old male who was arrested alongside her has since been released while enquiries continue.

On Friday, the police confirmed that they had opened a criminal case into language used by the “Anti-Zionist Movement” connected to their launch event. The AZM described themselves as being “unapologetically anti-Zionist, pro armed resistance, upholds the thawabet [and] campaigns against Jewish supremacy.” Another post referred to its support for “Zio eradication”.

A spokesperson for West Midlands police said: “We’re aware of an event which had been due to take place at a venue in Balsall Heath on Sunday. We are also aware that the venue has since announced that it will not be hosting the event.

“Our officers continue to work to understand the plans of the event organisers. We continue to liaise with key stakeholders, including a meeting with members of the local Jewish community which was held with senior officers.

“We have started a criminal investigation into potential offences within a social media message which has been used to promote the event.”

The Charity Commission also confirmed to Jewish News on Friday that it was investigating the charity which owns The Old Printworks, with a spokesperson saying: “Following significant concerns raised about an event organised by a campaign group at a venue owned by the charity Make It Sustainable Ltd, we immediately opened a regulatory compliance case to thoroughly assess this matter and contacted the charity’s trustees for more information.

“In line with our policy on evidence of potential criminal activity, we reported our concerns to the police. While the charity has now cancelled the booking, we continue to engage with its trustees, which will include a review of its policies on external events and speakers.”

The “Anti-Zionist Movement” event is understood to have subsequently taken place at a function room above a Yemeni restaurant right next to The Old Print Works building. A post from the group showing the event’s promoted speakers – minus Abouchakra – stated that “The Zionist lobby mobilised British media and police to intimidate us. They failed. Their playbook is old and has been studied.”