A student faces a retrial after a jury failed to reach a verdict on whether she had made a speech in support of a proscribed organisation, Hamas.
Hanin Barghouthi, 24, made a speech at the Clock Tower, in Brighton, on the day after the Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday 7 October 2023 left about 1,200 people dead.
Hamas launched more than 4,300 rockets into Israel. More than 3,000 people were injured and 251 were taken hostage.
Barghouthi denied a single count of expressing support for a proscribed organisation and went on trial at Kingston Crown Court on Monday 2 March.
Michael Bisgrove, prosecuting, said that she had told the rally at the Clock Tower on Sunday 8 October 2023 that the attack on Israel was a beautiful and inspiring victory.
But Mike Mansfield, defending, said that Barghouthi had been celebrating freedom – not promoting terror.
The jury retired to consider its verdict on Tuesday 10 March.
On Thursday 12 March, Judge Peter Lodder discharged the jury after 15 hours of deliberation when they told him that they were unable to reach a verdict.
Today (Friday 20 March), Mr Bisgrove said that the case still passed the public interest test and sought a retrial.
The judge said that the case would be tried again on Monday 22 February next year.
