Woman Charged for Backing Hamas in Public Speech and WhatsApp Chat
Sarah Cotte Arrested Over Terror Support
Sarah Cotte, 20, from Camden, has been slapped with two charges of expressing support for Hamas, a proscribed terrorist group under UK law. The Metropolitan Police confirmed her arrest on 30 January 2024, followed by formal charges on 4 March after a probe by the Counter Terrorism Command.
Speech and Social Media Post Spark Charges
The charges relate to a public speech Cotte allegedly gave in October 2023. Authorities claim she endorsed and celebrated the horrific 7 October attacks in Israel and urged others to support those responsible. A video of the speech made its rounds on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
A second count comes from similar remarks she is accused of sharing in a WhatsApp group, further backing the banned organisation.
Court Date Set Amid Ongoing Investigation
Cotte is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 24 March. The Home Office declared Hamas a terrorist organisation in full back in 2021, making praise or promotion of the group illegal across the UK.
The Metropolitan Police have yet to reveal more details. The investigation remains ongoing.
