Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Judge who declined to jail terrorism offence trio to be investigated

Judge Tanweer Ikram had spared jail terms for three women who were accused of using pro-Hamas images during a protest rally

Judge who declined to jail terrorism offence trio to be investigated

A senior judge who spared jail terms for three women protesters, accused of displaying pro-Hamas images during a pro-Palestinian march in London, will now be investigated over his alleged bias, The Times reports.

Heba Alhayek (29), Pauline Ankunda (26), and Noimutu Olayinka Taiwo (27) were found guilty of a terror offence after they displayed paraglider images supporting Hamas, a banned outfit, during a protest on October 14 last year.


The Hamas attackers had used paragliders to enter Israel on October 7  last year and carry out deadly attacks that killed over 1,000 people.

The women denied charges under terrorism laws of carrying or displaying an article to arouse reasonable suspicion that they are Hamas supporters.

Their lawyers suggested they were displaying images of parachute emoji.

But prosecutors argued it was “no coincidence” the defendants were displaying the images so soon after the attack, and it amounted to the glorification of Hamas.

Deputy Senior District Judge Tanweer Ikram said the image was wrongly described as a paraglider by the police and prosecution, and felt there was no evidence that any of the women supported Hamas.

Judge Ikram handed each woman a 12-month conditional discharge - they will not face punishment unless they commit further offences.

Now the British Pakistani judge will be investigated after it emerged that he had recently liked an anti-Israel social media post.

Ikram had liked a message posted by a barrister on LinkedIn stating that Israel had allowed the October 7 attacks.

Campaigners had called for the ruling to be reviewed and for the judge to face disciplinary action after his alleged social media activity came to light.

They argue that after liking a pro-Palestine post he ought to have recused himself from the trial for apparent bias.

The judge reportedly said he didn’t know he had liked the post and if he did it was a mistake.

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office is expected to complete the probe into Ikram's alleged bias within a month, the daily said.

More For You

modi-bjp-reuters

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

Modi's BJP wins Delhi assembly election after 27 years

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that "development had won" as his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in Delhi’s local elections, ending a 27-year gap since it last controlled the capital’s legislature.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after Delhi’s former chief minister, a key opposition leader, conceded defeat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less