Two women who were arrested on suspicion of a terrorism offence following a public appeal for information have now been charged. The charge is related to their activity at a protest in Whitehall on Saturday, 14 October. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, expressed the importance of swiftly investigating such matters and bringing those responsible to justice.
The women, Heba Alhayek and Pauline Ankunda, both from south London, have been charged with carrying or displaying an article in a public place, in a manner that aroused reasonable suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas. The image appeal issued by the officers on Friday, 27 October, resulted in the arrest of the two women on Monday, 30 October.
They were subsequently released on bail until Friday, 3 November, when they were charged with the offence. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges. Both women have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 November.
The police are still seeking the public’s help in identifying a third woman who was involved in the protest.
They have also appealed for information on a man seen waving a placard supporting Hamas during a separate protest on Bond Street on Saturday, 21 October. Commander Dominic Murphy emphasised the importance of public support in investigating suspected terrorism offences and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. The public can report information online at gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.
