A woman who told a protest crowd that Hamas is “fighting for freedom” has been found not guilty of expressing support for a proscribed organisation, following a closely watched case in a British court.
Kwabena Devonish, 27, of Pentrebane in Cardiff, had denied a charge under the Terrorism Act 2000 of expressing an opinion or belief supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Devonish attended a march in Cardiff in November 2023 and addressed a crowd gathered at Ty William Morgan in Central Square, telling them she was “sick of being told to condemn Hamas”.
A video of the speech, which was posted on social media, led to her arrest in January 2024 and formed a central part of the prosecution’s case.
During the trial, jurors were shown footage of Devonish speaking at the rally on 11 November, which was attended by around 500 people.
In the clip, she said: “I would never condemn the resistance of Palestinians because their resistance is due to the occupation.
“So, if you want to talk about violence, if you want to talk about atrocities, then point the finger to the state of Israel.
“I am sick of being told to condemn Hamas, when Hamas are fighting for freedom, Hamas are fighting for the people.”
Giving evidence, Devonish denied supporting Hamas and said she had been referring to them as “the most well-known representation of Palestinian resistance”.
“I don't support Hamas, I support the liberation of the Palestinian people,” she told the jury.
Representing Devonish, Kate O’Raghallaigh told jurors that the case had been brought on the basis of a small portion of speech.
“Because she uttered 21 words,” O’Raghallaigh said. “All she did was, really, refer to the fact that they are fighting a war, which they are.”
In his legal directions, Judge Picton told jurors that their deliberations must be a “cool headed, objective consideration of the evidence”. He said they had to be sure that Devonish’s comments were “objectively supportive of Hamas”, that she knew she was expressing such a belief, and that there was a risk a listener could be encouraged to support the organisation.
After a two-day trial, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on Tuesday afternoon.
Read more from the BBC here.