Police Climbdown and Drop Bail Conditions against CAGE 6, Shifting Responsibility to the CPS

London – Today, the CAGE 6 were informed by the police that they have been "released under investigation," with the decision to charge now handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This decision leaves the CAGE 6 in a state of uncertainty, and we demand the case be dropped immediately.

This development follows the CPS and police's recent defeat in the trial of Marieha Hussain. Marieha was prosecuted for holding a placard depicting former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman as coconuts. The public outrage over prosecuting a heavily pregnant woman for what was clearly satire and legitimate political critique has led to today's climbdown by the police.

Anas Mustapha, Head of Public Advocacy at CAGE International, stated:

"The decision to release my colleagues from their bail conditions is simply not enough. This entire case has been exposed as a political witch-hunt, instigated by a US-based, secretive pro-Israel blog."

"Marieha Hussain’s case demonstrated very clearly that there is no basis for prosecuting anyone over political satire. Support for Palestine is being met with aggressive policing tactics, resulting in a widespread erosion of free speech to satisfy the demands of the Israeli state and its supporters."