A counter-protestor holding a banner calling Hamas “terrorists” was arrested today as pro-Palestine protests rolled through central London.
Niyak Ghorbani, 38, was displaying a banner reading “Hamas is terrorist” – but was dragged to the floor and handcuffed as pro-Palestine demonstrators marched past.
While grounded, Ghorbani shouted “shame on you”, and said “I wrote down Hamas is a terrorist organisation – but they arrested me”.
He was then “de-arrested” and subsequently released; he said police told him he was being held for his own safety after he fell victim to an alleged assault.
Niyak Ghorbani was held to 'prevent a breach of the peace', police said
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In footage posted online, bystanders could be heard criticising police for taking action over Ghorbani’s banner, but not others in the pro-Palestine demonstrations.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: “A man was arrested for assault during an altercation between protesters and counter protesters in order to prevent a breach of the peace.
“After officers fully reviewed footage provided of the incident he was later de-arrested. Despite online commentary, he was not arrested for what was displayed on a placard.”
The statement also said the Met had made five arrests during the protests: one for a woman holding an “offensive placard”, two for men “chanting offensive slogans”, and one for assault.
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Pro-Palestine demonstrators marched across London today
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One more – seen earlier “carrying a shield and wearing a helmet” – was arrested under Section Five of the Public Order Act for causing harassment, alarm or distress.
The incident, which has gone viral on social media, unfolded as thousands of pro-Palestine protestors marched through central London calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, while more demonstrators protested in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Police said there was “no significant public order disturbance” in any of the protests today.
Ghorbani, an Iranian IT professional from Balham, alleged pro-Palestine demonstrators had assaulted him as he held his sign aloft.
He told the Telegraph: “They attacked me from behind and hit me in the head. They pushed me and told me Hamas is a protector of Palestine.
“The police destroyed my sign and told me that I had harassed someone in the protest and that is why they arrested me.
“They arrested me because someone who supports Hamas attacked me and I defended myself… After ten minutes, my friends showed them a video of what I was doing and they released me.
“The person who attacked me was not arrested.”