British police officer arrested on suspicion of ‘supporting Hamas’

A Gloucestershire Police officer has been arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestinian resistance group Hamas, according to counterterrorism authorities.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Police confirmed that the officer, in his 30s, was detained after a search of his property and vehicle on suspicion of supporting “a proscribed organisation contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 – namely Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Hamas).”

Arman Mathieson, assistant chief constable at Gloucestershire Constabulary, said the search was part of an investigation aimed at finding digital devices for analysis, reported the BBC.

He said: “The arrest of a serving officer on suspicion of such a serious offence will no doubt cause our communities concern, as it does everyone who works for Gloucestershire Police.”

“The arrest has been made to allow for a prompt and effective investigation to take place and we must not draw any conclusions at this stage.”

Following his arrest, the officer was transferred to a police detention facility outside the county.

Supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation is illegal under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act, carrying a potential sentence of up to 14 years in prison and/or fines. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organisation in the UK since 2021.

The movement, which won the last free and democratic election in the occupied territories in 2006, has governed the besieged Gaza Strip since 2007. It has repeatedly rejected accusations it is a terror group, highlighting that Palestinians live under occupation and it is, therefore, within their right under international law to resist the occupation even through armed conflict.

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