London’s Metropolitan Police on Wednesday again arrested an Iranian activist holding a placard describing Hamas as a “terrorist”, despite even the British government branding the Palestinian Islamic extremist group a terrorist organization.
Niyak Ghorbani, 38, from Iran, attracted national attention in recent months when he held up a placard reading “Hamas is a terrorist” at a pro-Palestinian rally in London. Mr. Ghorbani has been repeatedly arrested at protests and even subjected to assaults by anti-Israel activists simply for holding up signs stating the factual legal positions of the British and American governments.
The Iranian activist was arrested again on Wednesday outside Parliament House during a pro-Palestinian rally, with footage posted on social media showing officers questioning him about his signs and arresting him as he approached pro-Palestinian activists. Then, he appeared to be threatening.
In a statement after the arrest, the Metropolitan Police Department said, Said: “Officers arrested a man on suspicion of a public order offense in relation to a sign he was in possession of.
“It quickly became clear that the man should not have been arrested and that the wording on the banner did not constitute a crime. He was not immediately arrested.”
Ghorbani comments on recent arrests Said: “I want to express my gratitude to you for the sake of the British people, for the people of Israel, for the honorable and brave people of Iran, for the sake of truth and ultimately for my dignity, in whatever situation you find yourself in. We fought to prove if you are and what situation you are in. Don’t wake up, you will be experiencing 1979 Iran in the UK.
“The people of Iran and Israel will soon destroy the Islamic Republic and Hamas. What will the future hold for the British people?”
London police threatened @GorbaniiNiyak He was arrested again on suspicion of holding a placard that read “Hamas is a terrorist.” pic.twitter.com/CuaaZnRzOU
— Mahyar Tousi (@MahyarTousi) April 17, 2024
When he was last arrested in March, the Metropolitan Police Department claimed Ghorbani was not arrested for making the controversial sign, but for assault after an altercation. The Met said that after reviewing the footage, it was found that Ghorbani was not at fault and that her “arrest has since been lifted”.
The latest incident comes days after a judge overturned a London police order banning Iranian dissidents from approaching protests in London involving Israel and Gaza. The Metropolitan Museum of Art imposed the bail conditions after Ghorbani was arrested for a third time earlier this month.
However, Assistant District Judge Lisa Towell Said every telegraph He argued that bail conditions imposed by police prohibiting him from participating in demonstrations were “neither necessary nor proportionate” under the circumstances.
Anti-Israel demonstrations have taken to the streets of London since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel killed around 1,200 people and took hundreds more hostage, many of whom remain prisoners. It took hold. The Metropolitan Police has come under fire for taking a soft approach to anti-Israel and anti-Semitism in the British capital. For example, police previously tolerated demonstrators who called for a “holy war,” saying the word “has many meanings.”
Reacting to Mr Ghorbani’s latest arrest on Wednesday, former immigration minister Rolbert Jenrick said: I have written: “Why does this keep happening? This man has been wrongfully arrested over and over again just for holding a placard that says “Hamas is terrorist.” Sir Mark Rowley needs to explain this unacceptable behavior. Two-tiered policing must end. ”
Policing in two stages: More than 80 Brits made preventative arrests ahead of pro-Palestinian Armistice Day protestshttps://t.co/sDftKNKZ5Z
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) November 11, 2023
