British political commentator Richard Medhurst, known for his outspoken anti-”Israel” activism, says he was detained at London’s Heathrow Airport for 24 hours and subjected to interrogation under section 12 of the UK’s Terrorism Act.

This particular section of the law criminalizes the expression of beliefs or actions that are perceived as supportive of a proscribed organization.

Medhurst, who has publicly expressed support for Hamas amid the ongoing “Israeli” aggression against Gaza, said on Twitter that he might be “the first journalist to be arrested under this provision.”

According to Medhurst, his arrest occurred as he disembarked from an aircraft, where six police officers apprehended him at the entrance.

He described his arrest as “political persecution” and expressed concern that it interferes with his work as a journalist.

Medhurst disputed Hebrew media claims of sexual violence in the events of Oct. 7, and said that victims were killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) rather than Hamas.

Born in Damascus, Syria, Medhurst is fluent in multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Arabic. He has worked as an independent journalist and contributed to various media outlets, including Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen, Iran’s Press TV, and Russia’s RT network.