Two women charged under Terrorism Act over paraglider pictures at Pro-Palestine march

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Two women have been charged under the Terrorism Act in connection with displaying images of a paraglider during a march in London.

Heba Alhayey, 29, and Pauline Ankunda, 26, were arrested following an incident at a protest in London on 14 October, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Nick Price, head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: “Following a review of evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police, we have authorised charges against two women who took part in a demonstration in central London last month.

“Heba Alhayey, 29, and Pauline Ankunda, 26, have been charged with single counts of carrying or displaying an article, namely an image displaying a paraglider, to arouse reasonable suspicion that they are supporters of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, on Saturday, October 14 2023.

“The pair have been bailed to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 10 2023. Criminal proceedings against the two women are active and they each have the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

“The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.”