Richard Barnard, the cofounder of pro-Palestinian activist group, Palestine Action, was charged under the Terrorism Act by UK police on 29 August.
Barnard is being accused of “expressing an opinion that is supportive of a proscribed organization contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.” He also faces two charges of encouragement or intention to encourage criminal damage.
A hearing will be held at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 September.
The charges against Barnard originate from a probe launched by the UK Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) unit into a protest held on 8 October, one day after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, in Manchester.
“After a targeted campaign by the Zionist lobby, Palestine Action’s co-founder Richard Barnard is facing three charges for two speeches. He is accused of supporting a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act and encouraging ‘criminal activity.’ Mobilize in support at his plea hearing on September 18th from 10:00 AM at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London, NW1 5BR,” Palestine Action said via social media.
British police raided the home of another Palestine Action activist on the same day that Barnard was charged. The activist is suspected of involvement in the storming of a facility belonging to the Zionist regime-based weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems.
Palestine Action activists have stormed Elbit facilities several times over the past several months in protest against the genocide in the Gaza Strip and against Britain’s provision of arms to Israel.
A group of their members stormed an Elbit facility earlier this month, destroying weapons and machinery at the site.
Elbit Systems supplies 85 percent of the Zionist entitiies army’s drones and land-based equipment. It also exports drones, aircraft parts, and other equipment to the UK.
On the same day Barnard was charged, UK police British detained pro-Palestinian human rights activist and social media influencer Sarah Wilkinson, reportedly over “content that she has posted online.”
Wilkinson’s arrest came two weeks after Syrian–British journalist Richard Medhurst was detained and questioned by UK police upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport under the Terrorism Act, Section 12.
Other British journalists who have reported critically on the Zionist regime, UK, and US foreign policy have also been detained and harassed upon returning to their home country, including The Cradle contributor Kit Klarenberg and Vanessa Beeley.
source: The Cradle