Mat Cobb, 52, a part-time cleaner from Hinckley, Leicestershire, was arrested in a dawn raid after sharing posts on his Facebook page supporting Palestine Action. Police handcuffed him and took him to a station on suspicion of breaching terrorism laws; he had not attended demonstrations or been a member of the now-proscribed group. The proscription criminalises showing support for Palestine Action and carries penalties up to 14 years in prison. More than 500 peaceful protesters were previously arrested at a Parliament Square demonstration for holding placards supporting the group. Civil liberties campaigners warn the ban risks undermining public trust in policing and face legal challenge in the High Court.
A man who shared posts on his Facebook page backing Palestine Action has told how he was hauled from his bed by police and arrested on suspicion of breaking terror laws in a terrifying dawn raid. Mat Cobb, 52, a part-time cleaner, is now facing potentially life-changing criminal charges after becoming the latest member of the public to fall foul of the controversial decision to ban the direct-action group.
Dawn bedroom raids [like this] highlight the dangers of the ongoing proscription of Palestinian Action. Public trust and policing by consent are in jeopardy while we wait for higher courts to rule on the legality of the ban. Whatever advice informed the original proscription, the Home Secretary would be wise urgently to review it in the light of subsequent events.
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