Police officer admits terror offences over pro-Hamas WhatsApp messages | EUROtoday

For free actual time breaking information alerts despatched straight to your inbox signal as much as our breaking information emails

Sign as much as our free breaking information emails

A 26-year-old police officer pleaded responsible to terror offences after he shared messages on WhatsApp in help of Hamas simply weeks after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on 7 October and killed round 1,200 folks.

Mohammed Adil, who’s at the moment suspended from his position as a West Yorkshire constable, shared two photos in help of Hamas, who’re a proscribed terrorist group within the UK.

Adil pleaded responsible in Westminster Magistrates’ Court to 2 counts of publishing a picture in help of a proscribed group in violation of the Terrorism Act.

The messages Adil shared on his WhatsApp tales in October and November final 12 months present a Hamas fighter sporting a Hamas headband, the court docket heard.

The picture 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 stated to be a quote from the chief 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 navy wing.

He shared the pictures simply weeks after the October 7 assault on Israel that killed 1,200 folks and noticed one other 250 being taken hostage.

Two of Adil’s colleagues reported to their superior officers that that they had seen photos posted by Adil on his WhatsApp tales which precipitated them “concern”, the prosecution stated.

Adil had 1,092 contacts on his WhatsApp on the time who would have been capable of entry the pictures for twenty-four hours, prosecutor Bridget Fitzpatrick informed the court docket.

Adil was arrested on 6 November and had his cellular seized. He answered no remark to all questions throughout his interview.

Adil, from the Wibsey space of Bradford, who spoke to verify his identify, date of delivery, deal with and to make his pleas, was given conditional bail and the case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report back to be ready.

He will likely be sentenced on June 4 on the identical court docket.

Chief Justice of the Peace Paul Goldspring stated: “I accept that at the time of the offending you were of good character.

“The Crown has conceded you did not put the images on WhatsApp towards the general public at massive.”

Mr Goldspring added the matters are “very critical” and said at this stage he is not persuaded he can “rule out custody”.

Adil, who relies in Calderdale, is at the moment suspended.