It makes no difference if you are an “active participant” or “curious observer”, anybody who will be detained during the ongoing anti-migrant protest shall remain in captivity with no possibility to leave the arrest after bail.
Judge Rafferty said that someone’s presence, including a “curious observer”, at disorder involves them in such disorder as he refused two bail applications.
The case concerned an 18-years-old man who, according to his defence solicitor’s statements, left his house and stayed at the “periphery” of the protest to “have a look”. He was detained and charged for participating in this protest.
When the defence said he was not an active participant but one of “curious observers” he was met with the judge’s harsh answer.
Surely his presence at disorder involves him in disorder,” the judge said. “He doesn’t have to throw a petrol bomb or brick to be involved in disorder, if he’s present at disorder.”
When Judge Rafferty informed he refused bail he said: “Anybody involving themselves in this type of behaviour, this type of disorder, be an active participant or a curious observer can expect to be, save for the most exceptional circumstances, remanded into custody, and this defendant is remanded into custody.”
The court decision comes as part of a crackdown on street and internet violence. The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for a criminal investigation to be launched at anyone inciting hatred or fueling the ongoing protests.
The PM’s call was confirmed as a strategy of the law enforcement organs.
Photo: X @MarioNawfal
Source: independent.co.uk
Tomasz Modrzejewski
