Police de-arrest exiled Iranian who held anti-Hamas placard at London Palestine demo

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.