I Was Arrested at Heathrow Airport as a “Terrorist” for My Journalism

Summary

Journalist Richard Thomas Medhurst recounts his ordeal of being arrested under the Terrorism Act in London, accused of supporting a prescribed organization. He describes the humiliating and dehumanizing treatment, including solitary confinement and surveillance. Despite his diplomatic background and commitment to peace, he feels targeted for his reporting on Palestine. Medhurst condemns terrorism and calls for support, emphasizing the attack on press freedom and the urgent need to challenge the misuse of counterterrorism laws.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Richard Thomas Medhurst, an internationally accredited journalist from the UK, was arrested under the Terrorism Act of 2000.
• 👮‍♂️ He was accused of expressing opinions supportive of a prescribed organization without clear explanation.
• 🛂 Medhurst was detained at Heathrow Airport, subjected to a thorough search, and had his journalistic equipment seized.
• 📱 His phone was confiscated, and he was not allowed to inform his family of his arrest.
• 👥 He was handcuffed tightly and placed in a cramped police van, treated in a dehumanizing manner.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Despite his cooperation, he was subjected to invasive searches and held in solitary confinement in poor conditions.
• 🚫 His requests for basic needs were often delayed or ignored, highlighting a lack of respect for his rights.
• 📞 He was not allowed to contact a solicitor or family members for an extended period, violating his rights.
• 🗣️ Medhurst vehemently denies all accusations, emphasizing his anti-war background and commitment to peace.
• 🏛️ He criticizes the overreach of the Terrorism Act, arguing it's being used to target journalists and stifle free speech.
• 📰 He calls for support, fearing that his arrest may be an attempt to silence him and others reporting on sensitive issues like Palestine.

Q & A

What was Richard Thomas Medhurst's profession at the time of the incident?

Richard Thomas Medhurst is an internationally accredited journalist from the United Kingdom.

What was the reason given for Richard's arrest under the Terrorism Act?

He was arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act of 2000 for allegedly expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive of a prescribed organization, although the specific details were not explained to him.

How was Richard treated upon his arrest at the airport?

Richard was immediately escorted off the plane by six police officers, handcuffed with tight handcuffs that left marks, and taken to an adjacent room where his phone was confiscated.

What kind of physical discomfort did Richard experience during his detention?

He was placed in a cramped police van, subjected to a second search at the police station, and kept in solitary confinement in a cold cell with a concrete ledge as a bed.

What items were seized from Richard during his arrest?

His journalistic equipment and devices were seized, including phones, SIM cards, wireless microphones, microphones, headphones, and even his shoelaces.

How did Richard describe the conditions of the cell where he was kept?

The cell was cold, smelled like urine, had barely any light, no windows, no heating, and no toilet paper. He was recorded 24/7 with audio and video.

What was the impact of the arrest on Richard's ability to communicate with the outside world?

He was not allowed to inform his family about his arrest and was only able to call them after several requests. His solicitor's calls were also delayed or not answered.

How long was Richard detained before being interviewed by the police?

Richard was detained for almost 24 hours before being interviewed by two detectives, which lasted about an hour and a half.

What is Richard's background, and how does he relate it to his arrest?

Richard comes from a long line of public servants, including his father who served in the London Metropolitan Police and his grandfather who was in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He suggests that his arrest may be related to his reporting on the situation in Palestine.

What is Richard's stance on terrorism, and how does he feel about being accused of supporting a prescribed organization?

Richard categorically and unequivocally condemns terrorism and is disgusted at being politically persecuted in his own country. He considers himself a victim of terrorism and has a strong background in anti-war and diplomacy.

How does Richard feel about the use of the Terrorism Act against journalists?

He believes that the Terrorism Act is out of control and has no place in a democracy. He argues that counterterrorism laws should be used to fight actual terrorism, not journalism.

Outlines

00:00

🚔 Harrowing Airport Arrest

Richard Thomas Medhurst, an internationally accredited journalist from the UK, recounts his distressing experience of being arrested upon landing at London Hether Airport. He was apprehended by six police officers under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act of 2000, accused of expressing opinions supportive of a prescribed organization without clarification. His belongings were confiscated, and he was subjected to a dehumanizing search and handcuffing process. Despite his cooperation, he was treated harshly, with tight handcuffs causing discomfort. He was transported in a cramped police van to the station, where he faced further invasive searches and was placed in solitary confinement in a cold, poorly lit cell with substandard conditions. His requests were often delayed, and he was not allowed to contact his family, highlighting a lack of basic human rights during his detention.

05:01

📰 Targeted for Journalism

Medhurst, who comes from a family with a strong diplomatic and peacekeeping background, including Nobel Peace Prize-winning parents, details his anti-war upbringing and his commitment to journalism as a form of public service. Despite his family's history of service and his own dedication to peace, he feels targeted for his reporting on the situation in Palestine. He contrasts his unconditional release with the lingering uncertainty of potential charges, which casts a shadow over his ability to work as a journalist. He calls out the overreach of the Terrorism Act, arguing that it is being misused to suppress journalism rather than to combat actual terrorism. He implores for public support in the face of what he perceives as an attack on freedom of the press and freedom of speech, urging solidarity with other journalists who are suffering similar fates due to their reporting.

Keywords

💡Journalist

A journalist is a person who collects, writes, or distributes news or other current information. In the video, Richard Thomas Medhurst identifies himself as an internationally accredited journalist, emphasizing his role in reporting news and current events. His arrest and subsequent treatment raise questions about press freedom and the potential for journalists to be targeted for their work.

💡Terrorism Act

The Terrorism Act is a piece of legislation that provides law enforcement with powers to prevent and respond to terrorist activities. In the script, Medhurst was arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act of 2000, which is used to stop individuals from providing support to proscribed organizations. The application of this act in his case highlights the broad and potentially overreaching scope of such legislation.

💡Detained

To detain means to hold someone in custody, typically for questioning or as a security measure. Medhurst was detained upon landing in London, illustrating the immediate and forceful action taken against him. His prolonged detention without clear charges or explanation underscores concerns about due process and individual rights.

💡Humiliate

Humiliation is the state of being degraded or made to feel extremely ashamed. Medhurst describes feeling humiliated by the treatment he received, including being handcuffed in an awkward position and being subjected to invasive searches. This term is central to his narrative of dehumanization and abuse of power.

💡Intimidate

Intimidation involves instilling fear or apprehension in someone. The script suggests that the police's actions were designed to intimidate Medhurst, as part of a psychological strategy to break him down. This keyword is crucial in understanding the impact of such treatment on an individual's mental state.

💡Dehumanize

Dehumanization is the act of depriving someone of their individuality or basic human rights. Medhurst claims he was treated like a criminal and subjected to inhumane conditions, such as solitary confinement in a cold, poorly lit cell, which he interprets as an attempt to dehumanize him.

💡Solitary Confinement

Solitary confinement refers to the practice of isolating a prisoner from other inmates. Medhurst was placed in solitary confinement, which is often criticized for its detrimental effects on mental health. His experience in solitary confinement is a key element in his story of mistreatment.

💡Palestine

Palestine is a region that is central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and it is mentioned in the context of Medhurst's journalistic work. He suggests that his arrest may be related to his reporting on the situation in Palestine, which raises questions about the suppression of journalistic freedom in covering certain topics.

💡Genocide

Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group. Medhurst uses the term to describe what he perceives as the government's complicity in acts against humanity, particularly in relation to Palestine. This keyword is significant in understanding his motivation for speaking out against perceived injustices.

💡Press Freedom

Press freedom refers to the ability of journalists to report the news without censorship or restraint. Medhurst's arrest and the conditions of his detention are framed as an attack on press freedom, suggesting that his journalistic activities were the reason for his targeting.

💡Political Persecution

Political persecution is the unfair treatment of someone due to their political views or activities. Medhurst claims to be a victim of political persecution, as he believes his arrest was motivated by his reporting and not by any legitimate security concerns, highlighting the potential for abuse of power in the context of political dissent.

Highlights

Richard Thomas Medhurst, a UK-based journalist, was arrested upon landing at Heathrow Airport.

He was arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act of 2000 for allegedly supporting a prescribed organization.

Police did not explain the meaning of the charges brought against him.

Medhurst was subjected to a pat-down, had his phone confiscated, and was not allowed to inform his family.

He was handcuffed in a manner that was extremely tight and left marks for two days.

Medhurst was transported in a cramped police van, described as a mobile cage.

At the police station, he was subjected to a second search and unusual requests, such as turning his socks inside out.

His journalistic equipment was seized, including phones, SIM cards, and microphones.

He was placed in solitary confinement in a cold, poorly lit cell with no amenities.

Medhurst was recorded 24/7, including while using the toilet, with no privacy.

Requests for basic needs like water and clothing were delayed or ignored.

He was not allowed to contact a solicitor until after several requests over several hours.

Medhurst was detained for almost 24 hours without being able to speak to a family member or friend.

He was finally interviewed after a 15-hour wait, which he suggests was intended to psychologically rattle him.

Medhurst categorically denies all accusations, stating he is not a terrorist and has no criminal record.

He comes from a family with a long history of public service and a strong anti-war stance.

Medhurst suggests that his arrest may be related to his reporting on the situation in Palestine.

He feels that the Terrorism Act is being misused to target journalists and stifle free speech.

Despite being released unconditionally, Medhurst does not feel free due to the looming possibility of future charges.

He calls for support and highlights the importance of freedom of the press and speech.

Transcripts

my name is Richard Thomas medhurst I'm

an internationally accredited journalist

from the United Kingdom on Thursday as I

landed in London hether Airport I was

immediately escorted off the plane by

six police officers who were waiting for

me at the entrance of the aircraft they

arrested me not detained they arrested

me under section 12 of the terrorism Act

of 2000 and accused me of allegedly

quote expressing an opinion or belief

that is supportive of a prescribed

organization unquote but wouldn't

explain what this meant one officer took

my bags and when I asked why he was

still back in the aircraft I was told

look mate you can get nicked right here

in front of everyone or in there your

choice so I was taken to an adjacent

room pattered down my phone confiscated

I was not allowed to inform my family

despite being calm and Cooperative I was

handcuffed with something that placed my

shoulders in an awkward position and and

my wrists on top of rather than next to

each other the handcuffs were extremely

tight despite the police loosening them

and they left marks on me for 2 days the

police took me down onto the runway put

me in a police van essentially a mobile

cage and informed me that everything was

being recorded the van was cramped I had

to struggle the entire time to keep my

balance uh and try not to fall over as

we drove to the police station now once

inside the station they searched me

again for the second time within 10

minutes I was told to sit on a bench

remove my shoes remove my socks I was

told to turn my socks inside out and

hold them up for the officers to inspect

they also made me hold up my feet so

they could check them as well the

officers took me to to a room with UV

lights which they told me is used to

catch burglar who are sprayed with

something is I have no idea why they did

this since they just removed me off of a

plane my suit case was then opened in

the lobby and rans sacked all of my

journalistic equipment and devices were

seized including phones SIM cards

wireless microphones microphones

headphones even my

shoelaces they later took my DNA as well

my fingerprints palm prints and

photographed me I was placed in solitary

confinement in a cold cell that smelt

like urine there was barely any light

and the bed if you can even call it a

bed was simply a a small concrete ledge

with a paper thin mattress the cell had

no windows no heating no toilet paper I

was recorded 24/7 with audio and video

Even when going to the toilet I had to

eat food with a piece of cardboard that

you were supposed to F into two in order

to scoop up the meal

the police said that I have the right to

inform someone that I'm locked up so I

said okay I want to call my family and

then they'd go well your calls are

withheld because of the nature of the

alleged offense I tried to ask well

what's the point of a right if you can

just randomly withdraw it why tell me

that I have this right at all and one of

them said something along the lines of

well it's not an absolute right it can

be waved similarly they said I had the

right to know why I was being detained

so I asked again and the police would

say something like well we just the

arrest arting officers we don't really

know or this will be explained to you

during the interview or some other

generic response now despite the police

officer Civility and cheerfulness I felt

that the whole process was designed to

humiliate intimidate and dehumanize me

and treat me like a criminal even though

they they must have been aware of my

background and that I'm a journalist I

was under surveillance almost the entire

time from the moment I was arrested

until I was released be in the police

van in the station the cell all of it no

privacy whatsoever many of my requests

were also delayed or outright ignored uh

when I was detained I asked for water

several times the police would always

say sure but then I ended up waiting

hours for a tiny cup of water I asked if

I could have my own clothes because I

was in a t-shirt it was cold and I

couldn't sleep they said they give me a

pullover but never did although one God

did give me a second blanket so you have

to nag and nag for the most basic things

and this is why I was uh afraid that

they weren't even going to call a

solicitor for me I was able to see the

nurse on one occasion but on three other

occasions when I asked to see the nurse

theyd say yes and then nothing for many

hours no one in the world knew what had

happened to me or where I was only the

police could call a solicitor for me I

had to ask like four or five different

guards for several hours until I finally

received a call some of my solicitors

calls did not get through or were not

answered one of the calls my solicitor

was told would be monitored and and so

they simply refused to take it I asked

to speak to the solicitor afterwards

when when when that happened but I was

not allow allowed to in total I spent

almost 24 hours in detention at no point

whatsoever was I allowed to speak to a

family member or a friend after waiting

15 hours I was finally interviewed by

two detectives the interview lasted

about an hour an hour a half maybe

something something like that so there's

clearly no need to hold me there this

entire time but I believe this was done

on purpose to try and rattle me

psychologically that failed I

categorically and utterly reject all the

accusations by the police I am not a

terrorist I have no criminal record

prior to this incident I'd never been

detained in my entire life I'm a product

of the Diplomatic community and I'm

raised to be anti-war both of my parents

won Nobel Peace prizes for their work as

United Nations peacekeepers they had a

tremendous effect on my world view and

Outlook and instilled in me the

importance of diplomacy international

law and peace I myself am a victim of

terrorism when I attended the British

school in Islamabad the Egyptian embassy

adjacent to my school was blown up in a

double bming I categorically and

unequivocally condemn terrorism I am a

medhurst my family goes back 1,000 years

in this country I come from a long line

of public servants my father served in

the London Metropolitan Police before

entering the United Nations he is an

expert and an authority on

counterterrorism who taught me much my

grandfather was in the Royal air force

during World War II and his father

before him in the British Army in World

War I I perhaps don't have the same

career paths as them but I consider my

journalism to be a public service and my

way of doing my bit for the country by

providing a counterweight to mainstream

media I love my country I respect its

laws and its legal institutions I get

the feeling nevertheless that those like

myself who are speaking up and Reporting

on the situation in Palestine are being

targeted I had booked my ticket to

London on the same day and yet an entire

team of police were mobilized to arrest

and question me this is why I felt that

this was a pre-planned coordinated

arrest many people have been detained in

Britain because of their connection to

journalism sometimes under the terrorism

act sometimes not I think of Julian

Assange Craig Murray kit Claren BG David

Miranda Vanessa Bey as far as I'm aware

I'm the only journalist however to have

been arrested and held for up to 24

hours under section 12 of the terrorism

act keep in mind the conditions that I

outlined

previously the psychological element

where you're made to wait endlessly

you've not been told what you're accused

of nor when you'll be questioned now

despite having been released

unconditionally I do not feel that my

bail is truly unconditional I'm

effectively in limbo not knowing if I

will be charged in 3 months or if I will

go to prison journalism is my livelihood

I have an ethical and a moral

responsibility toward the general public

to inform but I feel that a muzzle has

been placed on me I simply do not not

know if or how I can work at all during

the next months Palestine the

humanitarian crisis in Gaza Remain the

most pressing news story in the world

however it seems that any statement No

matter how innocent how factual and

well-intentioned can be skewed and

twisted into an offense of the highest

order this is precisely the danger and

the absurdity of the terrorism act that

I have always sought to impress upon the

public long before I ever became a

victim of it myself it is out of control

it has no place in a democracy

counterterrorism laws should be used to

fight actual terrorism not journalism we

cannot call ourselves a democracy as

long as reporters are dragged off of

planes and detained and treated like

murderers I am disgusted that I'm being

politically persecuted in my own country

now as I do not know if I can still

report as a journalist for the next

months I kindly ask you for your support

during these times freedom of the press

freedom of speech really are under

attack the state is cracking down and

escalating to try and stop people from

speaking out against our government's

complicity in genocide please stand not

just with me but with the others who are

still inside I know what they're going

through and the best relief is to know

that people on the outside are rooting

for you and doing everything they can to

get you out thank you