A recent arrest made in south west London has brought attention to the issue of online support for terrorist organizations. On Tuesday, May 14, a 47-year-old man was taken into police custody on suspicion of showing support for Hamas, a terrorist organization. The arrest came after the police received a public referral regarding online posts that allegedly showed support for Hamas.
The matter was promptly referred to the national Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, who assessed the posts and subsequently passed them on to the detectives within the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command for further investigation. As part of the investigation, a search was conducted at an address in the area.
After being taken into police custody, the man was later released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court in early August. This incident serves as a reminder of the rise in extremist and terrorist material being shared online, particularly in the aftermath of the recent conflicts in Israel.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized the importance of public referrals. He stated that since the attacks in Israel last October, there has been a significant increase in the amount of extremist and terrorist material being reported by the public. Each referral is assessed by specialist officers, ensuring that potential terrorism offenses are thoroughly investigated.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat online support for terrorist organizations. Investigations into this case and others like it continue as authorities strive to maintain the safety and security of communities.