Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained in London for supporting a banned group, amid a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
LONDON: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in London on Tuesday for supporting a proscribed organisation.
She was detained at a demonstration in support of pro-Palestinian hunger strikers, according to activist groups.
City of London Police confirmed arresting a 22-year-old woman for displaying a placard in support of Palestine Action, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The placard read “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide”.
Officers also arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of criminal damage after hammers and red paint were used on a building in the financial district.
The pair had glued themselves to the scene.
Thunberg’s arrest marks the highest-profile detention since the UK government outlawed Palestine Action in July.
The ban followed activists breaking into an air force base, causing an estimated £7 million in damage.
Being a member of or supporting the group is now a serious criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The protest was supporting eight detainees, aged between 20 and 31, who are on hunger strike.
They are facing trials related to break-ins or criminal damage by Palestine Action and are protesting their treatment while calling for bail.
Two protesters began their hunger strikes in early November, with others joining in subsequent weeks.
Some of the eight have been charged over the July air base incident.
Protest organisers Defend Our Juries say the government ban has led to at least 2,300 arrests.
London’s Met Police reported in late November that 254 out of more than 2,000 arrested had been charged with a lesser offence carrying a sentence of up to six months.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last week that “rules and procedures” were being followed regarding the detainees.
Thunberg was among hundreds who boarded a flotilla in October that attempted to break through the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
