Pro-Palestine Activist Found Guilty of Harassing Police Officer in Westminster
A pro-Palestine activist has been convicted of harassment and assault after she repeatedly called a police officer a "terrorist" during a demonstration in Westminster. Iman Zine, 43, from Enfield, north London, was found guilty by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Confrontation During Parliament Square Protest
The incident occurred on September 6 last year, when Parliament Square was filled with activists as part of a demonstration in support of Palestine Action. Metropolitan Police Sergeant Burak Guven was with colleagues as they entered a crowd chanting "shame on you." He felt himself being kicked on the back of the leg, initially suspecting it was Zine, though this was later found to be erroneous.
The ensuing confrontation was captured on Sergeant Guven's body-worn camera. Zine repeatedly shouted "you f****** terrorist" and asked the officer, "do you want me to suck your dick?" She also slapped him on the arm as he tried to move past her, an action described as a "hammer fist" in the initial allegation but later determined to be a slap. Additionally, Zine scratched the officer while handcuffed.
Court Findings and Emotional Impact
Chief Magistrate Goldspring found Zine guilty of causing harassment, alarm, or distress by using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior, as well as assaulting a police constable. He stated that Sergeant Guven was acting "entirely professionally" and criticized Zine for being "obnoxious towards the police because somehow you see them as the enemy." The magistrate added that she "deliberately humiliated" the officer and was "reveling in your position as showing defiance to the police."
Sergeant Guven testified that he felt "humiliated," "horrible," and "absolutely shocked" after receiving the barrage of insults. Recalling Zine calling him a "f****** terrorist," he described it as "disappointing to hear" and was visibly overcome by emotions, requiring a break to compose himself. He later revealed that he had given up his role as a public order officer following the incident.
Defense and Sentencing
Zine, who denied using any force on the officer, claimed earlier on Wednesday that she believed Sergeant Guven was "harassing" and "assaulting" her and that she was "defending" herself. However, the court rejected this defense.
Zine was granted bail and is scheduled to be sentenced at Westminster Magistrates' Court on April 1. Chief Magistrate Goldspring indicated that a custodial sentence should not be ruled out, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses.
The case highlights the tensions that can arise during protests in central London, particularly those involving high-emotion issues such as the conflict in Palestine. It also underscores the challenges faced by police officers in maintaining order while dealing with abusive behavior from demonstrators.
