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Police defend arrests of pro-Palestinian protestors

Social media Screengrab of dark haired woman holding a sign that says "forced starvation is a war crime". She is wearing sunglasses and a black and white scarf, probably a keffiyeh, and has a dark coat on. Social media
Sue Pentel was arrested on Saturday

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has defended its actions after two women were arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest in Belfast.

Sue Pentel, 72, a long-standing campaigner and member of Jews for Palestine Ireland, and another woman in her 50s were detained by police outside a Barclays Bank branch in Castle Place on Saturday. Both were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Stickers had been placed on an ATM.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said having looked at body-cam footage of the incident, determined that the officer's actions were "lawful and proportionate".

Other Screengrab of dark haired woman being loaded into the back of a police van. She is wearing a black and white scarf, probably a keffiyeh, and has a dark coat on. Two police officers, one more visible, are helping her into the van.Other
A video showing one of the arrests has been shared on social media

"I am limited in what I can say about this incident as due process must be allowed to run its course," he said in a statement to BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show.

"However, due to the degree of interest in this case, I want to reassure the public that, having reviewed footage of the incident (including from body worn camera,) I am satisfied that our officers acted with courtesy and professionalism."

Officer actions 'proportionate'

ACC Henderson said the officers were reacting to an emergency call from a city centre business.

"Their actions were lawful and proportionate to the situation they discovered," he added.

Both of the women were released later on Saturday, pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

ACC Henderson said the right to both freedom of speech and assembly are "fundamental human rights".

"However, they must be balanced with the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime."

A group of about 30 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Musgrave Street PSNI station in Belfast city centre. Some are holding banners and umbrellas. A large Palestinian flag is being held up in the middle of the group.
A group gathered outside Musgrave Street PSNI station to protest the arrests

Following the arrests, a number of pro-Palestinian protesters held a further demonstration outside Musgrave Street PSNI station.

Branches of Barclays have been targeted around the UK by pro-Palestinian groups, who want the bank to stop investing in certain companies.

'No offence committed'

Ms Pentel's solicitor Pádraig Ó Muirigh said she was detained after "peacefully protesting".

"She has committed no offence and should not be criminalised for exercising her right to peaceful protest against these ongoing atrocities," he said in a statement.

"Our client will robustly contest any attempt to criminalise her if a decision is made to prosecute.

"We will also be advising her in relation to the lawfulness of her arrest."

Patrick Corrigan, the Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International UK, told The Nolan Show that the right to protest is "fundamental to our democracy".

"That includes making the point with your body – standing in the street or even with placing a sticker - those symbolic acts," he added.

"It's in the public interest that police protect those rights."

Patrick Corrigan is looking to someone beyond the camera with a neutral expression on his face. He has short black and grey hair and a stubbly beard. He is wearing a black suit jacket, a light blue collared shirt and a patterned blue tie. He is standing on a road, with some parked cars in the background but they are blurred.
Amnesty International's Patrick Corrigan criticised the arrests on The Nolan Show

Mr Corrigan said peaceful protest is protected by law "even when it disruptive or causes a minor nuisance to people but that is not a reason to criminalise people".

"When you arrest people for a sticker you lose all sense of balance."