Doctor in court over alleged online support of Hamas
PA MediaAn NHS doctor has appeared in court accused of supporting Hamas in social media posts.
Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, of Pilning in South Gloucestershire, is accused of writing posts including "I don't condemn Hamas. I don't condemn October 7" and "Free the world from Jewish supremacy" in 2025.
The 31-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday where her legal team indicated she would plead not guilty to four counts of inviting support for the proscribed group.
They also indicated not guilty pleas to a charge stirring up racial hatred at a speech she allegedly made at a protest in Westminster, and one of stirring up racial hatred through publishing and distributing written material.
The court heard that on the second anniversary of the 7 October attack she is accused of posting an image of a bulldozer along with text reading "Glory to the Palestinian resistance".
Dr Aladwan was arrested by Metropolitan Police officers at her home on Thursday morning for allegedly breaching police bail conditions imposed after previous arrests, police said.
Aladwan appeared in the dock on Friday wearing a beige hoodie and a black jacket, and was released on conditional bail ahead of a next hearing on 24 April at the Old Bailey.
She spoke only to confirm her identity and indicate her pleas.
Before and during the hearing, more than a dozen protesters gathered outside the court waving Palestinian flags and carrying placards.
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