 "A handout photograph taken on and released by Prisoners for Palestine in London on December 23, 2025 shows Swedish activist Greta Thunberg before her arrest by Police officers outside the offices of Aspen Insurance at Plantation Place on Fenchurch Street. (AFP)")
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested by London police on Tuesday while attending a protest in support of pro-Palestinian hunger strikers, Palestinian activist groups said.
Her arrest is the most high-profile detention since the British government banned the activist group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws earlier this year.
The protest, organised by Prisoners for Palestine, took place in London’s financial quarter and focused on activists currently on hunger strike. Thunberg’s presence quickly drew attention amid a heavy police presence.
“Greta Thunberg was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the Prisoners for Palestine lock-on protest,” Prisoners for Palestine said in a statement, quoted AFP.
Placard linked to banned group
According to the group, Thunberg was holding a sign that read, “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide”.
Police later confirmed she was arrested for displaying a placard in support of a proscribed organisation.
City of London Police said officers initially arrested three people on suspicion of criminal damage after a building in the area was vandalised.
It said the arrests followed an incident in which “hammers and red paint were used to damage a building”.
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View All“A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They glued themselves nearby and specialist officers are working to release them, and bring them into police custody,” police said.
Detention under anti-terror law
Police said Thunberg arrived at the scene shortly afterward and was arrested separately.
“A little while later, a 22-year-old woman also attended the scene. She has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000,” the statement added.
The government banned Palestine Action in July after activists broke into an air force base, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.3 million) in damage. Some of those arrested over the incident are among eight detainees currently on hunger strike.
The detainees, aged between 20 and 31, are facing trials linked to break-ins or criminal damage. Supporters say they began hunger strikes in early November to protest their treatment and demand release on bail.
Asked about the matter in parliament last week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “rules and procedures” were being followed.
According to protest organisers Defend Our Juries, the ban has resulted in at least 2,300 arrests. London’s Metropolitan Police said in late November that 254 of those arrested have been charged with lesser offences carrying sentences of up to six months.