- Counter-terror officers claim the man showed support for the terror group
- Met anti-terror chiefs appeal for anyone who recognises him to get in touch
- Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 6578030/23
Counter-terror police are hunting a man who is alleged to have chanted support for Hamas outside the gates of Downing Street during a pro-Palestine protest.
The Metropolitan Police says it wants to speak to the man in connection with the demonstration on October 31 last year – one of a number to take place across central London that day.
Activists also stormed Liverpool Street Station on the other side of the capital, parking themselves on the concourse as they called for a ceasefire less than a month after Hamas terrorists murdered some 1,200 Israelis on October 7.
The Met’s anti-terror division has issued CCTV of the man in a bid to identify him; showing support for proscribed terror organisations, of which Hamas is one, is a criminal offence.
Detectives say they were alerted to the alleged crimes after footage was shared on social media that appeared to show a man chanting in support of the group, which has the full name of the Islamic Resistance Movement.
Security camera footage was sourced from Charing Cross railway station on October 31 shortly after the remarks were allegedly made.
It shows a man described as having a ‘Middle-Eastern appearance’ in his mid-20s to early 30s, with a dark beard and moustache and short hair closely shaved at the back and sides.
He was wearing a dark top and bottoms, black shoes, and a black and white Palestinian shemagh scarf.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: ‘We’ve followed a number of lines of enquiry to try and identify this man and now we’re asking the public for their assistance.
‘Take a good look at these pictures. Is this someone you recognise? If you have any information that could help us identify him, please get in touch.
‘If you’re the man in the pictures, please contact us – we would like to speak with you.’
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference 6578030/23; information can also be given anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
The action outside No 10 was organised by a coalition of pro-Palestine groups including Friends of Al Aqsa, the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and the Stop the War Coalition.
It had been organised in response to an Israeli airstrike at the Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip on October 31.
The strike killed at least 50 people and left over 100 others buried under the rubble, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Israel admitted responsibility for the strike, and later said that it had taken out Hamas commander Nasim Abu Ajina, believed to be an architect of the October 7 attacks.
Proscribed group offences, including that of showing support for a banned organisation, can carry sentences of up to 14 years in prison upon conviction.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
