Natalie Strecker not guilty of terrorism offences

Natalie Strecker has been acquitted of offences under Jersey's Terrorism Law.

The 50 year old Pro-Palestine activist has been found not guilty at Jersey's Royal Court of inviting support for proscribed terrorist organisations.

In a landmark case for Jersey, the charges related to alleged social media posts regarding Hamas and Hezbollah which were made between 20 June and 11 October 2024.

Ms Strecker, who character witnesses had described as 'passionate', 'kind' and a 'peacemaker,' denied two offences.

Her defence said she advocated for the use of 'non-violent methods' [to end the conflict in the Middle East] and did not try to recruit or raise money for the named groups.

Advocate Mark Boothman told the court during the three-day trial that inviting support for the groups would conflict with 'who she is as a person', quoting the final social media post presented in evidence, which called for 'non-violent action.'

Earlier in the case, prosecutors had argued that  Ms Strecker 'crossed a line' in messages and social media posts, from expressing her own view to inviting others into what she thought was 'the only answer'.

Jurats delivered their verdict this morning (2 December), finding Ms Strecker not guilty of both the charges against her.

Ms Strecker told Channel 103 she was 'absolutely relieved' and then addressed gathered supporters and the media with a prepared statement:

"I, Natalie Strecker, following one of the worst and most stressful years of my life, have finally been vindicated of the charges of inviting support for a proscribed organisation.

"I’m grateful for the court and the jurats and their deliberation, and correctly concluding that, despite maybe clumsy wording on occasion, I never intended to invite support for any of the groups cited. I also thank them for the respect and fellow feeling that they demonstrated to me throughout the proceedings."

She continued:

"This has personally been an incredibly traumatic and dehumanising time, compounded by old wounds, triggered by the manner in which I was arrested. I am a care survivor, a survivor of abuse, because of the failings of our government and institutions, as a child.

"I walk out of court today with my head held high and in the knowledge that it was my character put on trial, and that I won."

When delivering the verdict, Judge Sir John Saunders said the court was satisfied Strecker is 'a good character' who has done 'a great deal of good', referring to 'powerful testimonies from character witnesses.'

He said the jurats understood her as someone 'moved by the suffering caused by war, particularly moved by those who have lived and died in Gaza' and that she has 'been to Palestine, and seen the suffering'.

He said that, unfortunately, her frustration led her to make ‘unwise’ statements, but that the court was satisfied that she 'abhors' 'violent acts' and is 'not a supporter'.

He warned that the consequences of conviction of terror offences, 'cannot be overstated,' and that ‘people who care very much about the tragic events happening in parts of the Middle East, need to take particular care in what they say.’

He said the trial is a 'clear warning... not to cross the line.'

In a statement after the verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Beechey, Director of Intelligence and CI Operational Support at States of Jersey Police, said:

"We acknowledge the outcome of the recent court proceedings.

"This case, the first of its kind in Jersey, involved an allegation of inviting support for proscribed organisations, under Article 13(1) of the Terrorism (Jersey) Law 2002.

"The matter was brought before the courts following a complaint from a member of the public.

"We remain committed to investigating all reported crimes thoroughly and impartially.

"We would also like to recognise the joint efforts of the States of Jersey Police and the Law Officers’ Department throughout this process.”