UK Police Arrest Elderly Man Holding Sign Opposing Palestine Action Ban, Gaza War

British police arrested an elderly man in the United Kingdom for holding a sign that read "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action," according to a report by Iran's Mehr News Agency (MNA).

The report did not specify the location or exact date of the arrest, nor did it provide additional details on the circumstances, including whether the man was charged and under what legislation.

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization by the UK government earlier this year, making public expressions of support for the group a criminal offense under UK law. The ban has prompted a series of protests and arrests across the UK, with demonstrators arguing the measure criminalizes free expression and dissent over the war in Gaza.

Mehr News's report did not include comment from UK police or government officials regarding the specific arrest described, and the account has not been independently verified.

Arrests linked to displays of support for Palestine Action have drawn criticism from civil liberties groups, who argue the proscription has been applied broadly to nonviolent expressions of protest.