UK detains Iranian after BBC probe into people smuggling
The man, who was arrested in the city of Birmingham, was detained following a BBC investigation into people-smuggling activities by gangs transporting people in small boats across the English Channel.
He is due to be questioned by National Crime Agency officers about human trafficking of migrants from northern France to the UK.
The NCA said it is investigating 91 groups or individuals involved in people smuggling and other serious immigration offenses.
Jacque Beer, the NCA's regional head of investigations, told the BBC: 'People smugglers operate for profit without concern for the safety of those they transport.'
Dame Angela Eagle, the UK's minister for border security, said she would 'not stand by and let this vile trade continue,' adding that the government had 'announced the investment of a further £100 million ($134.36 million) this week to tackle the criminal networks head on.'
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UK police arrested 522 who backed banned pro-Palestine group
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Arab News
3 hours ago
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Amnesty International slams ‘deeply concerning' UK arrests of Palestine Action protesters
LONDON: Amnesty International has branded reports that police in the UK arrested 474 people at a Palestine Action protest 'deeply concerning.' It comes after a demonstration was held in Parliament Square in central London in support of the group, which was banned by the UK government earlier this year as a terrorist organization. The Metropolitan Police said it was the largest spate of arrests it had made at a single event in over a decade, and that 466 people at the protest were arrested under the Terrorism Act. Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International's UK chief executive, said: 'The protesters in Parliament Square were not inciting violence and it is entirely disproportionate to the point of absurdity to be treating them as terrorists. 'Instead of criminalizing peaceful demonstrators, the government should be focusing on taking immediate and unequivocal action to put a stop to Israel's genocide and ending any risk of UK complicity in it.' Those arrested included healthcare professionals, a blind wheelchair user, and former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg. Many of the protesters were silently holding placards stating: 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' The group behind the protest, Defend Our Juries, said around 700 people attended the event and that they posed 'no danger to the public at large.' Elsewhere, a woman was arrested in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for wearing a T-shirt supporting Palestine Action. The woman was detained while attending an anti-racism protest, where she was filmed being taken by police officers on suspicion of 'possessing an article, namely a sign or T-shirt, that indicates support for Palestine Action.' Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International UK, said: 'Many people are justifiably angered by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and are concerned about UK complicity. Under international human rights law, they have every right to voice their concerns. 'The individual who joined a Refugees Welcome rally in Belfast was not promoting violence, and it is wholly disproportionate for the PSNI to treat her as a terrorist. 'UK terrorism laws pose a serious risk to free expression. Rather than targeting peaceful protesters, the government should be taking swift and decisive measures to end Israel's genocide.' Under UK terrorism legislation, membership of or support for a proscribed group is a criminal offense carrying a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Palestine Action was banned following a series of break-ins at secure facilities in the UK, including one in which activists caused criminal damage to military aircraft at a Royal Air Force base in the town of Brize Norton.
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2 days ago
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British pro-Palestine protester launches legal action against police
LONDON: A pro-Palestine protester in the UK who was threatened with arrest under the Terrorism Act is taking legal action against the police force involved in the incident, The Guardian reported on Friday. Laura Murton, 42, had held up a Palestinian flag and signs saying 'Free Gaza' and 'Israel is committing genocide' at her demonstration in the city of Canterbury last month. Armed police who responded to the protest told Murton that she had expressed support for Palestine Action, the group banned in July and listed as a terrorist organization. Neither of Murton's signs mentioned Palestine Action, she told officers, who asked if she supported any proscribed organizations. 'I do not,' she responded. Murton's solicitors have issued a letter of claim to Kent police's chief constable, in what is viewed as a reminder of police responsibilities ahead of major pro-Palestine protests this weekend across the UK. Murton is seeking damages over the incident and will donate any compensation toward Palestinian causes. She is also requesting an apology and an overview of details that police officers recorded about the incident. Shamik Dutta of law firm Bhatt Murphy, which is representing Murton, said: 'The legal challenge is being brought because as matters stand our client has neither received any apology nor any acknowledgment that Kent police conduct has been unlawful. 'She has had no indication that no further action will be taken against her in relation to her protest on July 14 or that no further action will be taken against her if she wishes to engage in a materially similar protest in the future.' Murton filmed her encounter. One officer told her: 'Mentioning freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide, all of that all come under proscribed groups, which are terror groups that have been dictated by the government.' He then claimed that the phrase 'free Gaza' indicated support for Palestine Action. Murton reluctantly provided her name and address to the officers, who had threatened her with arrest unless she did so.
