03 November 2023 , 17:19
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Two women pictured at a pro-Palestine march in London with photos of paragliders have been charged under the Terrorism Act.
The incident happened on October 14 in Whitehall, with social media footage circulating showing two women with the image taped to their backs in reference to Hamas militants who crossed into Israel a week earlier (October 7) and massacred civilians. They had used the aircraft to cross from Gaza.
Heba Alhayek, 29, and Pauline Ankunda, 26, both of south London, were charged with carrying or displaying an article arousing reasonable suspicion that they were supporters of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to section 13(1) Terrorism Act 2000. Following an appeal started last Friday (October 27), officers arrested the pair on Monday (October 30) before they were charged today.
A third woman is still being sought, while a man seen displaying a sign saying: "I fully support Hamas" at a different protest on Bond Street on Saturday, October 21, is also wanted by police. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We have worked swiftly and decisively to investigate this matter and that has led to these two women being charged with terrorism offences only a week after issuing our public appeal.
Police are seeking a third woman as part of the investigation (police handout)
Police are also hoping to identify a man seen waving a placard with the words 'I fully support Hamas' at another protest (police handout)“We know that the public are very concerned about some people using the veil of legitimate protest to carry out criminal or even terrorist activity and we have shown that we will do everything we can to identify where that happens and that we will seek to bring those who may be responsible to face justice.”
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The charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service. Both women have been released on bail and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 10. Officers continue to seek the public’s help to identify a third woman, described as Black, wearing a red coat and with a dark scarf containing a flower pattern and baggy jeans.
As part of a separate ongoing investigation, officers are also still asking for the public’s help to identify the Bond Street man. He has short hair, light skin and is wearing a blue jacket with a light top underneath, a light stripy scarf around his neck, and light trousers or jeans.
Commander Murphy said: “My officers are working night and day with our colleagues across the country to investigate suspected terrorism offences committed in the real world and online. The public’s support is vital to us and I’m grateful to everyone who has reported information to us already and I urge anyone who has information about the man and woman we are still seeking to get in touch. Equally, should the people in the pictures recognise themselves, then I also urge them to come forward so we can speak with them.”
Anyone who knows who these people are or has information that could help the investigation is asked to please report it in confidence online at gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.