Home Correspondent
The Metropolitan Police have charged a 61-year-old man in connection with a series of anti-Muslim incidents, including those targeting the Palestinian Mission in Hammersmith, as well as multiple mosques and businesses across West London.
Jonathan Katan faces 11 counts of racially aggravated criminal damage, one count of a racially aggravated Section 5 Public Order Act offence, and one count of a racially aggravated Section 4a Public Order Act offence. He appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on May 17.
Katan was arrested on November 27 last year after red paint was thrown or sprayed at locations in the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham and Ealing on 11 separate occasions between October 16 and November 18.
Det Supt Figo Forouzan, who leads the investigation, said: “These charges have come as a result of diligent police work by officers who have gathered evidence while providing support and reassurance to those affected.”
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, responsible for policing the West Area encompassing Hammersmith, stated, “Officers have worked incredibly hard with the Crown Prosecution Service and communities in both boroughs of Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham to get an arrest and a charge in this case.
“This demonstrates how seriously we take allegations of hate crime against any of our communities.
“While criminal proceedings are now active, I ask the community to refrain from speculating on this case, particularly on social media, to avoid any risk of prejudice.”
During the attacks, the Palestinian Mission in the UK sounded the alarm, strongly denouncing the ongoing assaults on its London headquarters and accusing the British government of neglecting requests for diplomatic protection.
In a statement posted on X on November 19, they disclosed the latest attack the previous night, marking the fourth in a series of recent incidents. Security footage accompanying the statement captured the intensity of the attacks.
“All attacks and threats have been reported to the British police, and the President of the State of Palestine has requested immediate diplomatic police protection for the Mission in London from the UK Prime Minister, holding the UK government responsible for the safety of the Palestinian ambassador, staff, and families,” it said.
“Until today, the UK government has failed to provide such diplomatic protection in line with international norms. The lack of any action by the British government, ignoring Palestinian rights and concerns, is inexplicable and unacceptable,” it noted.
“It is the responsibility of the UK government to enable the Palestinian Mission in London to function unhindered. We urge, yet again, the British government to take immediate steps to ensure the security and safety of the Palestinian Mission, its ambassador, and staff,” it added.
