A woman accused of expressing support for Hamas and “celebrating” the October 7 attacks in Israel has denied terror offences.
Sarah Cotte, 21, from Camden, north London, allegedly made a public speech on October 9 2023 at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas) that “endorsed and celebrated” the attacks carried out two days earlier in southern Israel, when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted 251 others.
The Metropolitan Police said the speech was filmed and subsequently posted on X.
Cotte is also accused of having expressed support for the terror group in a WhatsApp group chat, prosecutor Kristel Pous told the court.
She was arrested on January 30 2024 and charged on March 4.
Cotte entered a not guilty plea on Monday at Westminster Magistrates' Court to two charges of expressing support of a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act.
District court judge John Zani sent the case for a hearing at the Old Bailey on April 11.
Protesters were gathered outside the magistrates' court waving Palestinian flags and calling for the charges against Cotte to be dropped.
