West Yorkshire Police officer admits terror offences over WhatsApp messages supporting Hamas
From The Yorkshire Post
A 26-year-old police officer has pleaded guilty to two terrorism offences over messages he shared on WhatsApp.
West Yorkshire Police constable Mohammed Adil (from the Wibsey area of Bradford) shared two images in support of Hamas – a banned group in the UK – just weeks after the October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw another 250 being taken hostage.
The messages Adil shared on his WhatsApp stories in October and November last year show a Hamas fighter wearing a Hamas headband, prosecutor Bridget Fitzpatrick told Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.
The first charge against Pc Adil stated that, on Oct 31, he published an image of a Hamas headband on WhatsApp, in “such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion” that he was “a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas”.
The image posted on October 31 had writing on it saying: “Today is the time for the Palestinian people to rise, set their paths straight and establish an independent Palestinian state.”
It was said to be a quote from the leader of Hamas’s military wing, Mohammed Deif.
The image on November 4 had another message on it, saying: “We will hold accountable all those who occupied our lands and Allah will hold accountable all those who remained silent against this occupation and oppression.”
The second quote was said to be from Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for the Al-Qassam brigade – which is Hamas’s military wing.
Two of Adil’s colleagues reported to their superior officers that they had viewed images posted by Adil on his WhatsApp stories which caused them “concern”,
Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said: “I accept that at the time of the offending you were of good character. The Crown has conceded you didn’t put the pictures on WhatsApp against the public at large.”
Mr Goldspring added the matters are “very serious” and said at this stage he is not persuaded he can “rule out custody”.
Adil, who is brd in Calderdale, is currently suspended. (He) was given conditional bail and the case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
He will be sentenced on June 4 at Westminster Magistrates Court.