London: A policeman from the UK’s Gloucestershire County has been arrested by a counterterrorism unit on suspicion of supporting Palestinian movement Hamas, recognised as a terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom, police said.
“A serving Gloucestershire Police officer has today (Tuesday 12 November) been arrested by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South West (CTPSW) on suspicion of a terrorism offense. The officer, a constable aged in his 30s, was arrested at a property in Gloucester on suspicion of providing support for a proscribed organisation contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 – namley Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Hamas),” the police said in a statement on Tuesday.
Specialist officers are carrying out a number of searches in connection with the investigation, the statement added. The suspect’s support for Hamas related to his “activity online,” Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson said.
“The arrest of a serving officer on suspicion of such a serious offense will no doubt cause our communities concern, as it does everyone who works for Gloucestershire Police,” Mathieson was quoted as saying in the statement.
On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters of Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has surpassed 43,600, according to the enclave’s health ministry.
UNI
