A woman has been found guilty of sharing social media posts supporting Hamas just days after the October 7 attacks.
The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit was notified of social media posts by Sara El-Houssein that appeared to show support for the banned group on October 17, 2023.
This was just ten days after Hamas - proscribed as a terrorist group in UK law - murdered 1,200 Israelis close to the border with Gaza and took 200 hostages. The attack led to a war in which 38,300 people in Gaza have been killed, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Specialist officers established the posts were potentially in breach of terror legislation and passed the case on for further investigation.
El-Houssein was arrested on November 2 after further enquiries to identify the user behind the account.
She was released on bail and charged in March.
The 23-year-old, of Osnaburgh Street, Camden, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday (July 12) of publishing an image of an article in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse a reasonable suspicion that she is a supporter of a proscribed organisation - namely Hamas.
She is due to be sentenced on August 20.
Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “Showing support for a terrorist organisation is a criminal offence, and is something we take seriously – whether it be online or in the real-world.
“Any content referred to us in this way will always be carefully assessed and where potential offences are identified, we will investigate and take action.”
Anyone who sees material online they are concerned may be terrorist or extremist can report it via www.gov.uk/act
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