Demonstrators gathered outside the Magistrate’s Court this morning as a pro-Palestine campaigner appeared inside to face charges under Jersey’s terrorism law.
Supporters of Natalie Strecker held placards and chanted: “Justice for Natalie, justice for humanity”, while other supporters filled the seats in the public gallery within.
Ms Strecker – who describes herself as a human rights campaigner and leads the Jersey Palestine Solidarity Campaign – was arrested in November after the States of Jersey Police received a complaint.
The 49-year-old was subsequently charged with offences under the Terrorism (Jersey) Law 2002.
Legal adviser Harrison Gollop, prosecution, told the Magistrate’s Court today that Ms Strecker was charged with posting material “inviting support for proscribed organisations” online.
She was alleged to have written on X (formerly Twitter) in support of Hamas and Hezbollah – both classified as proscribed terrorism organisations in the island.
The Magistrate, Bridget Shaw, decided that the case was too serious to be heard in the Magistrate’s Court. She declined jurisdiction and sent it to the Royal Court.
Ms Strecker was released on bail and will appear in the Royal Court for indictment on 4 April.