Latest news with #anti-terror
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan election regulator disqualifies three lawmakers from Imran Khan's party after convictions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's election regulator this week disqualified three lawmakers of former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party following their anti-terror convictions earlier this month in the May 9 case. A Pakistani court in the eastern city of Sargodha last Tuesday convicted prominent members of the opposition PTI. These included Ahmed Khan Bachar, the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, along with federal lawmakers Ahmed Chattha and Bilal Ejaz, who were handed 10-year imprisonment sentences. PTI's Senator Ejaz Chaudhary was also slapped with a 10-year jail sentence following his conviction. The case pertains to nationwide unrest and violent protests on May 9, 2023, when Khan, Pakistan's most popular opposition figure, was arrested by paramilitary forces in Islamabad that day on corruption allegations. The arrest triggered nationwide demonstrations, some of which turned violent, including attacks on military installations and public property. In response, the government launched a sweeping crackdown, arresting thousands of PTI members and supporters. Dozens were charged under anti-terrorism laws, and some cases were referred to military courts. 'The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday disqualified three Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers after their conviction in the May 9 cases by the court,' the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. 'Those disqualified include Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bachar, Member of National Assembly Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, and Senator Ejaz Chaudhry,' it added. Chattha was a member of the National Assembly from NA-66 constituency in Wazirabad while Bachar was a member of the Punjab Assembly from its PP-87 constituency in Mianwali. The PTI had rejected the ruling last week, calling it politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to dismantle the party through legal and administrative pressure. The government denied these allegations, with Minister of State for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik saying the proceedings followed all constitutional procedures. The sentencing took place amid heightened tensions in Pakistan's largest province, Punjab, where PTI-aligned lawmakers have clashed repeatedly with the ruling coalition. The party earlier this month launched a nationwide 90-day anti-government protest, which Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said would reach its 'peak' on August 5. The date marks two years since Khan was arrested on corruption allegations and has remained in jail since then.
Malay Mail
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Pro-Gaza activists detained across five cities as UK enforces terror ban on protest group Palestine Action
LONDON, July 13 — Police in several British cities yesterday arrested scores of people for supporting Palestine Action, following a second consecutive weekend of protests over the government's decision to ban the activist group using anti-terror laws. Campaign group Defend Our Juries, which had announced the rallies 'to defy' the ban, said 86 people had been arrested across five different cities. They included four vicars, a lawyer, a civil servant, a social worker, a mechanical engineer and the daughter of a Polish resistance fighter, as well as veterans of the 1960s civil rights movement, the group added. 'We will not be deterred from opposing genocide, nor from defending those who refuse to be bystanders,' the group said in a statement, referring to accusations levelled against Israel over its war in Gaza. The protesters were also taking a stand 'against the corruption of democracy and the rule of law', it added. In London, the Metropolitan Police said its officers had made 41 arrests for 'showing support for a proscribed organisation'. Another person was arrested for common assault, the force added. Footage showed police moving in on a small group of protesters displaying signs supporting Palestine Action. They had gathered at lunchtime at the steps of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square. Greater Manchester Police arrested 16 people, while officers in the Welsh capital Cardiff detained 13, all for the same offence under the 2000 Terrorism Act, both forces confirmed. 'South Wales Police supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully,' said a police statement. Police have warned that expressing support for Palestine Action would be a criminal offence after the ban kicked in last weekend. — AFP pic Support now a crime The other arrests occurred in the Northern Irish city Londonderry — also known as Derry — and Leeds, in northern England, according to Defend Our Juries. They come a week after 29 similar arrests at protests staged last Saturday, mainly in London. Since the Palestine Action ban kicked in on July 5, police have warned that expressing support for the group was now a crime, after a last-ditch High Court challenge failed to stop its proscription becoming law. The government announced plans for the ban under the 2000 Terrorism Act days after the group's activists claimed to be behind a break-in at an air force base in southern England. Two aircraft there were sprayed with red paint, causing an estimated £7 million (RM40.6 million) in damage. Four people charged in relation to the incident remain in custody. Palestine Action has condemned its outlawing — which makes it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison — as an attack on free speech. — AFP
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police arrest more Palestine Action supporters
Police in London arrested dozens of protesters on a second successive Saturday for supporting Palestine Action, a week after the UK government banned the activist group under anti-terror laws. "Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organisation," the Metropolitan Police said on X, noting another person had been arrested for common assault. "The area was cleared within the last hour," it added in a mid-afternoon update. Footage showed police moving in on a small group of protesters displaying signs supporting Palestine Action who had gathered at lunchtime at the steps of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square. Campaign group Defend Our Juries, which had announced it would hold rallies Saturday in several UK cities "to defy" the ban, criticised the response. "The Metropolitan Police were out in force again today, arresting more than 40 people in Parliament Square for holding signs opposed to genocide and supporting Palestine Action," a spokesperson told AFP. "Who do the police think they are serving in this?" the spokesperson added, calling the ban "Orwellian". It comes a week after the arrest of 29 people, including a priest and a number of health professionals, for offences under anti-terrorism laws. - Support now a crime - Police have warned since the Palestine Action ban kicked in on July 5 that expressing support for it was now a crime. "It is a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation," the Met said on X ahead of Saturday's planned protests. "As we saw last week, those who do breach the law will face action." Palestine Action's proscription cleared parliament in the first days of July, and a last-ditch High Court challenge failed to stop it becoming law. The government announced plans for the ban under the Terrorism Act 2000 days after the group's activists claimed to be behind a break-in at an air force base in southern England. Two aircraft there were sprayed with red paint, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.55 million) in damage. Four people charged in relation to the incident remain in custody. Palestine Action has condemned the proscription -- which makes it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison -- as an attack on free speech. jj/yad-jj
Al Arabiya
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Police arrest more Palestine Action supporters
Police in London arrested dozens of protesters on a second successive Saturday for supporting Palestine Action, a week after the UK government banned the activist group under anti-terror laws. 'Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organization,' the Metropolitan Police said on X, noting another person had been arrested for common assault. 'The area was cleared within the last hour,' it added in a mid-afternoon update. Footage showed police moving in on a small group of protesters displaying signs supporting Palestine Action who had gathered at lunchtime at the steps of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square. Campaign group Defend Our Juries, which had announced it would hold rallies Saturday in several UK cities 'to defy' the ban, criticized the response. 'The Metropolitan Police were out in force again today, arresting more than 40 people in Parliament Square for holding signs opposed to genocide and supporting Palestine Action,' a spokesperson told AFP. 'Who do the police think they are serving in this?' the spokesperson added, calling the ban 'Orwellian.' It comes a week after the arrest of 29 people, including a priest and a number of health professionals, for offences under anti-terrorism laws. Police have warned since the Palestine Action ban kicked in on July 5 that expressing support for it was now a crime. 'It is a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organization,' the Met said on X ahead of Saturday's planned protests. 'As we saw last week, those who do breach the law will face action.' Palestine Action's proscription cleared parliament in the first days of July, and a last-ditch High Court challenge failed to stop it becoming law. The government announced plans for the ban under the Terrorism Act 2000 days after the group's activists claimed to be behind a break-in at an air force base in southern England. Two aircraft there were sprayed with red paint, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.55 million) in damage. Four people charged in relation to the incident remain in custody. Palestine Action has condemned the proscription -- which makes it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison -- as an attack on free speech.
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Palestine Action in High Court showdown to overturn government ban
Palestine Action is pursuing a legal challenge in the High Court to prevent the UK government from proscribing the group under anti-terror laws. An urgent High Court hearing took place, with subsequent hearings scheduled to decide on a temporary injunction against the ban and whether the group can proceed with its judicial review. The government has laid a draft order before parliament to amend the Terrorism Act 2000, which, if approved, would criminalise membership and support for Palestine Action, carrying a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the proscription is a "legitimate response" to Palestine Action's "long history of unacceptable criminal damage," citing a recent incident at RAF Brize Norton. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Liberty, have submitted statements expressing concerns about the potential misuse of anti-terror measures to suppress dissent.
