Three charged over alleged ‘intifada’ chants on day police changed approach
Trio were arrested at a protest outside the Ministry of Justice in Westminster
Three people have been charged over alleged chants calling for an “intifada” at a protest on the day police announced a change in approach to the slogan.
Haya Adam, 21, of Edgware Road, central London, Azza Zaki, 60, of Edgware Road, central London, and Abdallah Alanzi, 24, of Fortunegate Road, Brent, will appear in court next month, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force said the trio were arrested at a protest outside the Ministry of Justice in Petty France, Westminster, on Wednesday December 17 after they were identified as allegedly being involved in chanting calling for an “intifada”.
Earlier that day, the Met had announced a change in approach to the slogan which came in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
The force said its investigation took into account the “intifada” chant but also other chanting heard during the protest and the charges reflect “the totality of the alleged offending on that evening”.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Service as they carried out their investigation.
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against these defendant are active and that they have the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
The defendants will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 23.
Announcing a more “assertive” approach to antisemitic hate crime on December 17, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said circumstances had changed in the wake of the Bondi Beach mass shooting.
They said: “We know communities are concerned about placards and chants such as ‘globalise the intifada’, and those using it at future protests or in a targeted way should expect the Met and GMP to take action.
“Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence.
“We will act decisively and make arrests.”
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