Met Police Crack Down on Terror Supporter Online
Woman Guilty of Backing Hamas on Social Media
Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command warned, “Showing support for a terrorist organisation is a criminal offence, whether online or offline, and we take it very seriously.”
Sara El-Houssein, 23, from North West London, was found guilty on 12 July at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. She published an image linked to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation, in a way that suggested her support. This breaches section 13(1A) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
She faces sentencing on 20 August.
How Police Traced the Posts Back to Her
Public tip-offs led the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) to posts on social media praising Hamas. On 17 October 2023, the CTIRU assessed the material and launched an investigation for possible terrorism offences.
Specialist officers tracked the account and arrested El-Houssein on 2 November 2023. She was released on bail but charged with the offence in March.
Met Police Urge Public to Report Suspicious Online Content
Detective Rees added, “Any content referred to us is carefully scrutinised. If it breaches terrorism laws, we pursue action.”
Concerned members of the public can report extremist or terrorist content at www.gov.uk/act.
About CTIRU
The Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit is a nationwide police team working under Counter Terrorism Policing to monitor and investigate extremist online content.
