
Police issue update into investigation over protests in Cardiff
The protests held outside of the BBC headquarters on Wood Street in the city centre were among many similar protests being held across the UK
A protester being arrested in Cardiff
(Image: Richard Swingler )
Police have issued an update on their investigation into protests in Cardiff. Some 13 people were arrested on Saturday during a protest over allegations the protesters were supporting a proscribed terror organisation.
The protests held outside of the BBC headquarters on Wood Street in the city centre were among many similar protests being held across the UK.
During the protest it's alleged campaigners criticised the decision to class Palestine Action as a proscribed group under the Terrorism Act.
South Wales Police arrested 13 people on Saturday who they have since released on bail.
A spokesperson for the force said on Sunday evening: 'The 13 people who were arrested on Saturday, July 12, during a protest which took place in the vicinity of Central Square, Cardiff, have been released on police bail.
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'They were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (supporting a proscribed organisation).
'The investigation which is being led by CTP Wales with support from South Wales Police is ongoing.'
The protesters were lying on the floor and bore placards which read "I oppose genocide" and "I support Palestine Action".
Article continues below
One said the designation of Palestine Action as a terror group was an "infringement of our democratic right to peaceful protest".
South Wales Police said it "supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully".

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Our officers will continue to apply the law in relation to Palestine Action as we have done since its proscription. Anyone showing support for the group can expect to be arrested.' Starmer's official spokesperson urged people not to attend. 'Any action that is in support of a proscribed group in the UK, of course we do not support and the court has confirmed their continued proscription status,' they said. 'The home secretary previously said that those who seek to support this group may yet not know the true nature of this organisation, but people should be under no illusion this is not a peaceful or non-violent protest group.' Sadiq Khan, who was vocal in urging Starmer to recognise a Palestinian state, declined to weigh in. A spokesperson for the mayor of London said: 'The policing of Saturday's planned protest by Defend Our Juries is an operational decision for the Metropolitan police.' On Tuesday, a delegation organised by Jewish Voice for Labour will deliver a letter signed by 300 Jewish figures to No 10 and Cooper urging a lifting of the ban on the group. Also signed by the human rights lawyer Geoffrey Bindman KC and the playwright Gillian Slovo, it will express 'horror' at the actions of Israel. The letter will say: 'We consider the proscription of Palestine Action to be illegitimate and unethical. It is time to end the government's hand-wringing over the level of slaughter and suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, mixed with tacit support to the Israeli state. The Met is sceptical of claims that thousands of people could turn up on Saturday. The force believes that a total in the low hundreds is more likely. Anyone arrested risks a terrorism conviction. At other events that led to mass arrests, the Met has arrested people, confirmed their identities and home addresses, and then quickly released them on bail so they could be dealt with later. 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