It follows a number of protests on Tuesday after a council decision to fly the Palestine flag at City Hall
Three people have been charged after Palestine flag protests in Belfast.
Police said a 20-year-old man has been “charged with disorderly behaviour and doing a provocative act” at a protest outside Belfast Courts on Tuesday afternoon, December 2. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 30.
Following a second protest in the Belfast City Hall area on Tuesday evening, police have also charged an 18-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman. They have “both been charged with disorderly behaviour” and are due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 30.
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Police also confirmed that a 45-year-old man arrested yesterday in relation to a protest in Belfast city centre on Saturday, November 8, has also been charged to Belfast Magistrates’ Court.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “He has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and selling an offensive weapon. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”
The protests came after a Belfast City Council decision to flag the Palestine flag at City Hall from midnight until dusk on Tuesday, December 2. Protesters gathered outside Belfast Courts on Tuesday afternoon, before further protests outside City Hall on Tuesday evening.
The council passed a motion to raise the flag in a gesture of support for the people of Palestine. On Tuesday afternoon, a judge rejected a legal bid to have the flag taken down earlier than its scheduled removal time.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “An evidence-gathering operation is in place and in due course we will review the footage gathered and consider any further potential offences.
“The right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are fundamental human rights which are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest.
“However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.”
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