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Police de-arrest exiled Iranian who held anti-Hamas placard at London Palestine demo
Niyak Ghorbani, 37, waved the 'Hamas is terrorist organisation' sign in the middle of last Saturday's rally in central London before protesters turned on him leading to a confrontation.
An exiled Iranian who staged a counter-protest at a pro-Palestinian rally in London was arrested after he held aloft a sign reading “Hamas is terrorist organisation.”
Niyak Ghorbani, 37, waved the sign in the middle of last Saturday’s rally before protesters turned on him leading to a confrontation.
Police said he was arrested for assault before being de-arrested after officers reviewed footage.
Videos on social media showed exiled Ghorbani being wrestled to the ground by five local police officers and handcuffed.
A Met spokesperson said: “A video has been posted on X alleging officers arrested a man for having an anti-Hamas placard. This isn’t accurate. He was arrested after an altercation was ongoing, and officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace. He was arrested for assault.
“Officers then fully reviewed footage provided of the incident, and he was later de-arrested. The arrest was not made in relation to the placard.”
Ghorbani said that he would make a complaint after the incident and that he was not given back his sign.
He said: “[Police] told me that it is a danger for [my] life and for the people when they see maybe attack [me]. I told the police they attacked me and I want to complain and they say go to police station near your home.”
The Iranian’s placard was part of a wider counter-protest at the London demo.
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