Iman Zine was part of a protest in Westminster
A pro-Palestine activist “deliberately humiliated” a police officer when she repeatedly called him a “terrorist”, a chief magistrate has found.
Iman Zine also “slapped” Metropolitan Police Sergeant Burak Guven on the arm on September 6 last year, when Parliament Square was filled with activists as part of a demonstration in support of Palestine Action.
Mr Guven was with colleagues as they entered a crowd chanting “shame on you” and felt himself being kicked on the back of the leg, “erroneously” suspecting it was Zine, a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
The ensuing confrontation was caught on his body-worn camera as Zine repeatedly shouted “you f****** terrorist” and asked the officer “do you want me to suck your dick?”.
Mr Guven alleged Zine had struck him on the arm with a “hammer fist” as he tried to move past her, though it was later found to have been a slap.
Zine also scratched the officer while handcuffed, the court heard.
On Wednesday, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found her guilty of causing harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour, and assaulting a police constable.
He said Mr Guven was acting “entirely professionally”, telling the defendant: “You were being obnoxious towards the police because somehow you see them as the enemy.”
The judge said she “deliberately humiliated” the officer, adding: “You were revelling in your position as showing defiance to the police, who you think were doing something they shouldn’t in policing this protest.”
Zine, 43, from Enfield, north London, said earlier on Wednesday that she believed the officer was “harassing” and “assaulting” her and that she was “defending” herself.
She denied using any force on the officer.
Mr Guven previously told City of London Magistrates’ Court he felt “humiliated”, “horrible” and was “absolutely shocked” after receiving a barrage of insults from Zine.
After recalling Zine calling him a “f****** terrorist”, saying it was “disappointing to hear”, the officer was visibly overcome by emotions and asked for a break to compose himself.
Mr Guven later said he had given up his role as a public order officer in the wake of the incident.
Zine was granted bail, to be sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 1.
Mr Goldspring said a custodial sentence should not be ruled out.
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