Held for 24 hours by police for flag-waving

Police detained Maria Gallestegui (from peacestrike.org) for 24 hours after her arrest yesterday evening for waving the Tamil Eelam homeland flag at Parliament Square.

Maria has finally just been released from Belgravia police station after being held for 24 hours for waving a flag that a week ago we were categorically told on film was not proscribed and so she couldn't be 'processed' or arrested.

This marks a serious turn in a farcical story that has been developing since last week. (full report here)

peacestrike hq

police have failed to provide a clear statement on the legality of the red tamil homeland flag (which is similar to but quite separate from the outlawed tamil tiger emblem).

when asked about the film of officers confirming that SO15 (counter terrorism unit) were happy that the flag was NOT proscribed, emma stroud from the met police press bureau said "the officer was probably confused".

check out the film yourself and see if you think he might be confused.

during maria's 24 hour detention, she was photographed from every angle, had her dna, her fingerprints, her handprints, and her footprints taken. she is no doubt on some terrorist database now.

this is truly INSANE.

update

while in detention at belgravia, maria was not able to see a solicitor for more than 14 hours. she was not interviewed for at least 20 hours. no reason for her prolonged detention was given, because under our draconian terrorist legislation, police can hold a flag-waver with impunity for up to 28 days

maria was NOT charged

she was however given a letter purporting to be from SO15 (counter terrorism command unit)

the letter was not dated, not signed, and no address or phone number was given

it stated that the crown prosecution service (cps) did not think a prosecution would serve the public interest (no shit, sherlock!), but that maria's actions on the 1st and 3rd (arrests leading to first 8 hours and then 24 hours detention) would be taken into account if she continued to act in ways likely to "arouse suspicion" that she may be in support of a proscribed terrorist organisation. if so, the cps "may" consider prosecuting in the future.

maria will be seeking legal advice

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