Police officer charged with terror offences after ‘sharing pro-Hamas image’

A police officer has been charged under the Terrorism Act after allegedly publishing two images of a Hamas headband on WhatsApp.

Pc Mohammed Adil was charged after an investigation carried out by Counter Terrorism Policing North East into messages shared on the platform

The 26-year-old is charged with two counts of publishing an image in support of Hamas, a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Act.

Pc Adil, based in Calderdale, is currently suspended from West Yorkshire Police.

He is due to appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on Thursday.

Image aroused ‘reasonable suspicion’ of ‘support for Hamas’

The alleged offences relate to messages shared on WhatsApp between October and November 2023.

The first charge against Mr Adil, states that on 31 October, he published an image of a Hamas headband on WhatsApp, in “such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion” that he were a “member or supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas”.

The second charge relates to the publication of an image of a Hamas headband on 4 November last year.

That day, in central London, thousands of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Since the October 7 attacks, police have arrested and charged a number of people across the country for showing support for Hamas.

A spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: “A 26 year old man from Bradford has been charged with terrorism offences following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

“Mohammed Adil is charged with two counts of publishing an image in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse a reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to section 13(1A) Terrorism Act 2000. Adil was arrested in November 2023 and has been bailed to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday May 2, 2024.”