A serving British police officer has been arrested on suspicion of supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which governs the war-torn Gaza Strip.
The Gloucestershire Police officer was detained today at a property in Gloucester on suspicion of a terrorism offence.
The man, who is in his 30s, is suspected of providing support for a proscribed organisation contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Gloucestershire Police revealed that his ‘suspected support relates to activity online’.
He has been taken to a police custody unit outside of the Gloucestershire area.
A vehicle and an address in Gloucester are being now being searched as part of the investigation.
Gloucestershire police assistant chief constable Arman Mathieson said: ‘The arrest of a serving officer on suspicion of such a serious offence will no doubt cause our communities concern, as it does everyone who works for Gloucestershire Police.
‘It is important to note the suspected support relates to activity online and the searches taking place are predominately to locate digital devices for analysis.
‘The arrest has been made to allow for a prompt and effective investigation to take place and we must not draw any conclusions at this stage.’
Both the military and the political wings of Hamas have been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK government.
This means it is a criminal offence to belong to or invite support for it or wear clothing which could be seen to support the group.
The penalty is a maximum of 14 years in prison and/or a fine.
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