AWARD-winning Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty has been arrested and charged under terror laws.
Laverty was detained by officers in Edinburgh on Monday morning, and was then subsequently charged under the Terrorism Act for showing support for a proscribed organisation.
He had been wearing a T-shirt produced by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign which read “Genocide in Palestine time to take action” when he spoke at a demonstration in support of activist Moira McFarlane.
Upon his release, Laverty said it was "very important that we actually change the narrative", adding: "It's not about this T-shirt. It's actually about genocide."
He is due to appear in court in September.
A new video published by The National shows the moment Laverty was arrested by police.
Laverty can be heard saying: "Ladies and gentleman, this is not part of the Edinburgh Fringe. I'm asking the police if they want to speak to me about wearing this T-shirt."
As he begins to be led away by officers, he then asks: "Sorry, wait a minute, am I being arrested?"
He can be heard asking officers what he is being arrested for, before he is taken out of the Summerhall venue in the capital.
Can I just point out that Amnesty International, Forensic Architecture, and three UN bodies said that it is genocide in Gaza," Laverty said as he was moved away by police.
He then addressed officers: "The Genocide Convention – are you aware of the Genocide Convention by any chance?"
One officer responded: "Yes, we are."
Laverty then asked them: "Okay, what does it say about Article Three?"
When the officer did not respond, he continued: "Article 3: Duty to stop genocide."
Laverty asks again if he is being arrested as he is placed into the back of a police van, before saying: "Am I being arrested for wearing a T-shirt?"
In the video, a police officer can also be heard telling the person behind the camera to "stop filming", threatening them with seizing their phone to be used "as part of evidence for the inquiry" into Laverty.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Following a protest outside St Leonards Police Station on Monday, 25 August 2025, a 68-year-old man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 for showing support for a proscribed organisation. Enquiries are continuing."
