In a recent development, PC Mohammed Adil, a 26-year-old officer with the West Yorkshire Police, has been charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly sharing images that support Hamas, a group officially proscribed as a terrorist organization. The charges stem from two separate instances where Adil reportedly published images of a Hamas headband on the messaging platform WhatsApp.

The investigation, conducted by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, revealed that the shared images dated back to interactions between October and November of the previous year. The first of the charges against Adil alleges that on October 31, he shared an image in a manner that could reasonably raise suspicions of his support for Hamas. The second charge relates to a similar instance on November 4.

These dates coincide with a period of heightened tension in London, where, on November 4, large-scale protests erupted in Trafalgar Square with demonstrators calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

This case adds to a growing list of similar arrests across the UK following the October 7 attacks, underscoring a nationwide crackdown on expressions of support for Hamas. In a statement, a spokesperson from Counter Terrorism Policing North East emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing commitment to thwarting terrorism-related activities.

PC Adil, who is presently suspended from duty, was arrested in November 2023. He has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The case has drawn attention to the use of digital platforms for the potential spread of support for terrorist organizations and raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and national security.