Man who wore headband in support of Hamas spared punishment
Khaled Hajsaad, 24, who has been living in Birmingham, wore the clothing at a pro-Palestine rally in Trafalgar Square on November 25 2023.
A man who was found guilty of wearing a headband in support of Hamas at a pro-Palestine rally in central London has been spared any punishment.
Khaled Hajsaad, 24, who has been living in Birmingham, wore the clothing at a rally in Trafalgar Square on November 25 2023.
The green headband had the “Shahada” written on it in white – the basic statement of the Islamic faith, Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told previously.
But Hajsaad was found guilty in April of wearing the item “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion” he was supporting Hamas – an illegal act in the UK where it is designated a terrorist group.
The defendant appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he was handed a conditional discharge for three months.
He was also spared any fines on account of his “extremely limited budget” of £49 per week used for food and travel.
Judge Nina Tempia said: “The offence here was Mr Hajsaad wearing a bandana at a demonstration.
“In respect to harm, I agree with the prosecution that there was harm as the conduct linked to support of a proscribed organisation.
“The offence was committed after (the October 7 attacks). Not days or weeks later, but seven weeks later. I would not classify the harm as serious.”
Hajsaad has been described as an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK a year ago.
He had since lived elsewhere before coming to the UK.
Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Khaled Hajsaad aroused suspicion that he was supporting Hamas – a proscribed terrorist organisation – by wearing the green headband in the context of a pro-Palestine protest in central London.
“Wearing such items in a public place creates a risk of encouraging others to support Hamas.
“When people break the law – whether by hateful speech, supporting proscribed organisations or by threatening public order – the CPS will prosecute swiftly and independently.
“We have already prosecuted a string of offences linked to events in the Middle East and we are working closely with the police to make sure our approach commands public confidence.”