Three Defendants Prosecuted Regarding Activist Organization Placards Enter Not Guilty
The initial three suspects indicted in Britain for displaying solidarity toward the banned organization the activist network entered pleas of not guilty pursuant to counter-terror laws.
Jeremy Shippam, aged 72, from West Sussex, Judit Murray, 71, of West Ewell, Surrey, and Fiona Maclean, 53, from Hackney are scheduled for trial during March of the coming year accused of displaying banners stating, “I stand against mass killings, I support the activist group”.
Appearing in court before a London magistrate recently, the three rejected identical accusations of presenting a placard where the public could see which prompted grounds for doubt that they were supporters of a proscribed organisation, under section 13 (1) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The three individuals, standing before the chief magistrate, were allowed to remain seated away from the defendant's box because two of them are hearing impaired and hearing loops could not be found for them.
Following the prohibition against the activist network was enforced this summer, more than a hundred persons across Britain have been charged over displays of backing on behalf of the movement, from among over 1,600 individuals detained.
The accused trio appearing before the magistrate were all arrested while participating in a rally near the UK parliament when the prohibition started. They could face a maximum sentence half a year imprisonment or a financial penalty upon being found guilty. They obtained conditional bail until 16 March.
Demonstrators convened in front of the judicial venue chanting slogans supporting Palestine, brandishing banners and carrying placards.
An upcoming demonstration in Parliament Square opposing proscription is scheduled for 4 October, concluding a week of planned demonstrations starting during the Labour party conference in the north of England.
