An NHS doctor facing charges related to alleged support for Hamas requested to be addressed by her professional title during proceedings at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. Rehiana Ali, 46, a consultant neurologist and Cambridge graduate with a PhD from Imperial College London, appeared in court to answer accusations that she expressed support for a banned organisation and published inflammatory material intended to incite racial hatred.

Ali is charged with four counts of expressing belief in support of a proscribed group and seven counts relating to the publication of written content allegedly designed to stir up racial hatred. The prosecution alleges that between October 2024 and March 2025, Ali posted messages via social media platforms X and WhatsApp which contained anti-Semitic abuse and expressed support for Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom.

During the hearing, Ali declined the offer of legal representation and opted to represent herself. She requested that the presiding judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, refer to her as “Dr Ali,” citing the two decades she has spent earning her medical qualifications. The judge responded that she would refer to her by name in her capacity as a defendant in the trial.

Prosecutor Ben Lloyd outlined the case against Ali, asserting that the social media posts were intended to promote support for Hamas and to incite racial hatred. Ali, through a prepared statement submitted to the court, denied the charges. She stated that she had no intention of supporting any terrorist organisation, did not condone unlawful violence, and did not seek to encourage others to back a proscribed group.

Following the hearing, Ali was released on unconditional bail. The next procedural hearing, designated for plea entry and trial preparation, is scheduled to take place at the Old Bailey in March 2025. The case remains ongoing.