Become a Member
News

Arrested Iranian counter protester says he doesn’t need police protection

Five Met police officers pinned Niyak Ghorbani to the ground this weekend and destroyed his sign before claiming he was arrested for assault

March 11, 2024 16:13
Niyak Ghorbani
Footage of Niyak Ghorbani being arrested and pinned to the ground by multiple police officers for peacefully counter protesting an anti-Israel demonstration went viral on Saturday (Credit: social media / courtesy)

ByDaniel Ben-David, Daniel Ben-David

6 min read

An Iranian activist who was violently arrested by the Metropolitan police for holding up a sign saying “Hamas is terrorist” at a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday has told the JC he is prepared to be attacked, to “show British people the true face of the marches and the people behind it.”

A video of Niyak Ghorbani’s arrest showed him standing at the rally with a sign with the words “Don’t attack the law, Hamas is terrorist. UK added Hamas to the terrorist list Terrorism Act 2000 in March 2001” above his head.

Marchers could be seen pointing their fingers at him and shouting “shame on you”, before attempting to rip the sign out of his hands.

Ghorbani, 38, held on to it and a short scuffle broke out. Police officers then intervened and pulled the Iranian activist away from the crowd and down the street.