Arrest and Prosecution of SOAS Student Sarah Cotte in London

Following a speech delivered in October 2023 on behalf of SOAS Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!, in which student Sarah Cotte expressed her support “for the Palestinian resistance and the Palestinian people’s right to armed struggle when fighting against occupation and genocide,” she was doxxed by pro-Israel activists on X, and the organisation UK Lawyers for Israel reported her to the police. In January 2024, the police raided her home and confiscated her personal belongings. She was taken into custody and released on bail. A year later, in March 2025, she was charged under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act for “supporting a proscribed organization.” Her trial was held on June 22, 2026, at the Old Bailey.

Updated on the 24/09/2026: On 19 September 2026, after a five-day retrial at the Old Bailey, a jury unanimously cleared Sarah Cotte of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, deliberating for under two hours. She had already been acquitted of a second charge at her first trial in June 2026, when the jury could not agree on this one. The charge carried up to fourteen years in prison.