Birmingham jury fails to convict pro-Palestine activist accused of supporting Hamas

A jury was unable to convict a Palestinian activist who stands accused of supporting terrorism and encouraging support for a proscribed organisation - prompting a retrial.

During the trial, Freeman’s defence team, led by Hossein Zahir KC, pushed back on the claims against him and said their client did not support Hamas but supports “Palestinian resistance”.

Other claims made against Freeman during the trial by the prosecution, led by Tom Williams KC, are that the activist was using his social media to promote and encourage acts of violence.

But during the trial, Freeman told the court that he did not support Hamas, but that he believed “everyone has the right to defend themselves”, including the use of force.

“I do not support Hamas as a group,” said Freeman."I believe that not just Hamas, but every group has the right to defend themselves against Israeli aggression. “That includes using force.”

Williams also questioned Freeman on why he had reposted a 2024 video clip from Middle East Eye that showed an Israeli soldier shooting an elderly Palestinian woman in Gaza, which the prosecution presented as evidence of his support for Hamas.