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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Met seeks to identify 11 men suspected of 'advocating terrorist organisations' at London protests

Police are appealing for help identifying 11 men who appeared to be "wearing clothing or holding signs advocating for terrorist organisations" during protests in central London.

The men were reportedly seen at pro-Palestine protests in central London that have taken place across weekends this month and last, including over Armistice Weekend, Scotland Yard said on Tuesday.

The latest protest saw 300,000 people march through the capital at the weekend - for the large part peacefully - in protest against Israel's unrelenting attack on the Gaza Strip.

But counter protests in the area of Whitehall last Saturday involved "significant violence and disorder", said police.Counter-terrorism officers are in the process of investigate a series of allegations relating to the recent protests.

"They are analysing hours of CCTV footage, images from evidence gathering teams and photographs shared on social media," said a Scotland Yard spokesperson.

On Tuesday they appealed for help identifying 11 men, who police want to speak to in relation to four separate incidents.

The first appeal relates to an incident on November 11.

A man police want to speak to in relation to the first appeal (Met Police)

"Detectives investigating an allegation of incitement of racial hatred relating to anti-Semitic chanting are keen to speak to two men seen in social media footage of a pro-Palestine march in London on Armistice Day," said Scotland Yard.

The second man police want to speak to in relation to the first appeal (Met Police)

The second appeal relates to an incident in Trafalgar Square, which took place on November 4.

"We are investigating an allegation that people at a protest in Trafalgar Square on 4 November invited support for a proscribed organisation by engaging in pro-Hamas chanting," said police.

Police want to speak to this man in relation to the second appeal (Met Police)

Police also want to speak to this man in relation to the second incident (Met Police)

"The investigation team would like to speak to two men seen in social media footage.

The third appeal relates to social media footage that reportedly shows six men at a pro-Palestine protest in King Charles Street around 5.15pm on October 14.

Police want to identify these four men in relation to the third appeal (Met Police)

"The investigation relates to allegations of inciting racial hatred and displaying an article in public that arouses reasonable suspicion of membership or support for a proscribed organisation," said the police spokesperson.

Police also want to speak to these two men in relation to the third appeal (Met Police)

The fourth appeal relates to an incident in Bond Street on Saturday, October 21.

Police are working to identify a man who they say was "seen waving a placard with the words 'I fully support Hamas' on it during a protest".

"We continue to urge anyone with information about the man to contact us," they added.

"He has short hair, light skin and is wearing a blue jacket with a light top underneath, a light stripy scarf around his neck, and light trousers or jeans."

Police want to speak to this man in relation to the fourth incident (Met Police)

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Having pursued various lines of enquiry to try and identify these men, we are now seeking the public’s help.

"Many of the images we are sharing are very clear so I feel confident that there will be members of public who recognise the men. I really urge anyone who has information about these men – no matter how small – to call our confidential hotline.

“And if any of these men recognise themselves, I encourage them to go to a police station, so we can speak with them.”

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