UK to prosecute 60+ supporters of banned pro-Palestine group

AFP :

At least 60 people will be prosecuted for “showing support” for the recently proscribed Palestine Action group, in addition to three already charged, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday.

“We have put arrangements in place that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary,” the Met said in a statement.

More than 700 people have been arrested since it was banned as a terrorist group in early July, including 522 people arrested at a protest last weekend for displaying placards backing the group thought to be the highest ever recorded number of detentions at a single protest in the UK capital.

“The decisions that we have announced today are the first significant numbers to come out of the recent protests, and many more can be expected in the next few weeks,” said Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson.

“People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action,” said Parkinson.

The first three people were charged earlier this month with offences under the Terrorism Act for backing Palestine Action, after they were arrested at a July demonstration.