Coronation of Charles III: London police ‘regrets’ after arrest of anti-monarchist protesters

A small hitch during the coronation of Charles III. London police said on Monday evening it was “regrettable” that six anti-monarchist demonstrators arrested ahead of Saturday’s celebrations were unable to demonstrate as they had planned, and stressed that no criminal charges would be brought against them.

Early on Saturday morning, six members of the anti-monarchist Republic group, including their leader Graham Smith, were arrested in central London as they marched to Trafalagar Square to demonstrate at King’s Pass. The police also seized their posters.

They were released late on Saturday evening, more than sixteen hours after their arrest, drawing heavy criticism. In a press release on Monday evening, the London police defended themselves in detail, explaining that they had arrested six people “suspected of being able to put themselves in chains”.

Under a law that went into effect on Wednesday and has been criticized even by the UN, British police can arrest people who have equipment that can be used to chain themselves up on public roads. GREAT BRITAIN.

“We no longer have the right to demonstrate in this country”

However, the London police added in a press release that “the investigation was unable to prove an intent to use (the seized items) to chain oneself and disrupt the demonstration. “We regret that the six arrested were not able to join the group of demonstrators in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere along the march’s route,” concludes Scoland Yard, emphasizing that there will be no prosecution.

The arrest of Graham Smith and five other members of the Republican Party was heavily criticized by hundreds of anti-monarchy protesters who gathered to boo the carriage carrying Charles III to Westminster Abbey.

“This is what you expect to see in Moscow, not in London,” Human Rights Watch also responded. Graham Smith tweeted that three policemen came to his house on Monday evening and apologized. “Excuse is not accepted,” he said.

Earlier in the day, he criticized the new Public Order Act, which he said was passed “to give them the right to arrest us on any frivolous pretext.” “We no longer have the right to demonstrate in this country, we have the freedom to demonstrate only with the permission of the police and politicians,” he told the BBC. In total, on the day of the coronation of the king, the London police made 64 arrests, including environmental activists.