British police arrest Palestine aid convoy volunteers
Article published: Monday, March 2nd 2009
On Friday 13 February Lancashire Police sealed off a section of the M65 and arrested nine members of the Viva Palestina aid convoy under anti-terror laws.
On Friday 13 February Lancashire Police sealed off a section of the M65 and arrested nine members of the Viva Palestina aid convoy under anti-terror laws.
Five days later six of those arrested had been released without charge but three men from Burnley remained in custody. Viva Palestina organizers have condemned the police action as a disgrace, claiming that their allegations are groundless.
The Viva Palestina (VP) aid convoy is the result of weeks of intense fundraising activity in response to the Israeli military’s recent assault on Gaza. It comprises 110 vehicles 20 of which are from the North West carrying over £1 million- worth of aid, including medical supplies, clothing and George Galloway.
North West VP organizer Dr Chris Chilvers met the six men who were released from custody before they set off to rejoin the convoy in Morocco.
Dr Chilvers stated: "They are very angry about their treatment at the hands of the police and concerned that, despite being released without charge, the police are still refusing to return donations from the vans, personal belongings and mobile phones. The police have offered no satisfactory reason for these violations.
Dr Chilvers told Mule that police appear to be alleging that the money and and equipment is being taken overseas to assist in terrorist activities.
We don’t believe there is any basis for this. It is laughable to suggest that terrorists would want to attach themselves to an aid convoy that makes itself so public.
Lancashire police have refused to comment on the incident. Under laws created by the Terrorism Act, the police are allowed to hold the men for 28 days without charge.
All those arrested have now been released wiithout charge.
Andy Bowman 2/5/09
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