This storm III. After the arrest of 64 anti-monarchist demonstrators on the day of Carlos’ coronation, the provocations are far from coming out. Internal Affairs Commission House of Commons questioned two representatives this Wednesday policeto two activists A human rights lawyer was detained for explaining whether it was an attack on freedom of expression or, conversely, if the agents had acted correctly according to the argument. Public Order LawIt was confirmed a few days before the coronation.
Among those arrested on the day of the celebration were: eight members from the anti-monarchist group Republicarrested for carrying ropes that, according to the police, could be used to tie themselves to certain places, and interrupt part of coronation ceremonies. It is also a crime to use materials such as tape and rope that will hinder the work of the police in the evacuation of the demonstrators. prohibited actions in the new regulation and is punished with imprisonment up to six months. Something to give to agents enough arguments make arrests.
conflicting versions
Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Matte Twistdefended its actions in what has been described as the “biggest protection operation” ever undertaken by the police. “Agents believed that the material found could be used for protesters, considering the time, location and proximity of the parade. they will tie. so i know made arrestsThe police representative denied at any time that there was political pressure to carry out the arrests and assured that the arrests were made. intelligence information which marked an attempt to disrupt the coronation ceremonies.
Some expressions that activists denied. “There has not been a single email or cell phone message to suggest that we have any intention of doing anything illegal,” the Republic leader said. graham smith, along with other activists of the group, were held by the police for 16 hours. Smith told members of the committee that days before the coronation there was fluent communication with the police and that the agents they knew the actions said they would do it. “We told them exactly what we wanted to do, how many banners we were going to carry, how many flags and how many megaphones we were going to carry,” the activist said.
controversial law
Police representatives insisted they acted right free activists after hours and even under the new law Scotland Yard the following Monday, he issued a statement apologizing and reassuring detainees for preventing them from participating in the protests. there was not enough evidence to show an attempt to spoil the event. Twist denied that the short time between the law’s approval and implementation was one of the reasons for the arrests. “We believe that we were prepared “They knew what they had to do to inform the agents,” he said.
This limitations freedom of demonstration enshrined in the new norm. alarms went off among human rights experts. Lawyer Adam WagnerAnother witness questioned by lawmakers stressed that the text could harm democracy by discouraging other protesters from exercising their rights. “We face the repressive forces necessary to prevent crime, but at the same time they turn peaceful protests into peaceful protests. personal risk for those who do it,” he explained.
Six conservative lawmakers most of the committee showed little concern about these facts and stressed the role of the police Scottish Nationalist MP and Labor MPsincluding the chairman of the commission, Diana JohnsonThey showed wonder at some points of the inquiry. In any case, law reform seems like a distant scenario, as for now the Labor leader, Keir Starmerhas been resisted revealing whether it would end In case of a quorum in the next election