CPS authorises charge against man following Whitehall demonstration
Nick Price, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said:
“Following a review of evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police, we have authorised a charge against a man who demonstrated outside the gates of Downing Street last month.
“Urslaan Khan, 41, has been charged with expressing an opinion or belief that was supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely the organisation known as Hamas, and in doing so was reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression was directed would be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation, on Tuesday, 17 October 2023.
“He has been bailed to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 November.
“Criminal proceedings are active and Khan has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
“The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.”
Notes to editors
- Urslaan Khan, [DOB: 6.3.82], of East London, has been charged with expressing an opinion or belief that was supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely the organisation known as Hamas, and in doing so was reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression was directed would be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 12(1A) Terrorism Act 2000.
- The Counter Terrorism Division is responsible for prosecuting terrorism crimes and terrorist related offences in England and Wales. It also prosecutes allegations of incitement to racial and religious hatred, war crimes and crimes against humanity, official secrets cases, piracy and hijacking.