Last Updated: November 20, 2023, 14:52 IST
Wearing a pro-Palestine T-shirt, Wen Johnson reportedly tried to hug India batter Virat Kohli after making his approach into the sphere of play of the WC ultimate. (AP)
Wearing a pro-Palestine T-shirt, Australian citizen Wen Johnson had breached safety through the India-Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ultimate. “The US $10,000 reward is another dirty tactic by SFJ head Gurpatwant Singh Pannun,” stated high intel sources
Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), the banned pro-Khalistan group led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has introduced a reward of US $10,000 reward for Australian citizen Wen Johnson, who, carrying a pro-Palestine T-shirt, breached safety through the India-Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ultimate. Top intelligence sources have referred to as “staking declare a unclean trick of the SFJ”.
“This is another tactic by Pannun, who has been designated terrorist in India. He wants to stake claim on everything. This was seen in the past too,” stated sources.
Sources added that the SFJ has no position in it. “They make such claims, however by no means attain out to assist or assist individuals,” sources stated.
THE PITCH INVADER AT WORLD CUP FINAL
Johnson, wearing a T-shirt saying ‘Stop Bombing Palestine’ as well as a bunch of coloured scarfs, invaded the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. He reportedly tried to hug India batter Virat Kohli after making his way into the field of play. Kohli, too, looked unhappy with the invader as security immediately came into action and got hold of him. Johnson was arrested and taken to the Chand Kheda Police station. While in custody, he spoke to the media, stating that his primary motive was to meet Kohli and expressing his support for Palestine.
Political sloganeering is an offence at cricket games, but with Johnson being a foreign national, it is not yet known what kind of action will be taken against him. The ICC doesn’t allow any political sloganeering during its event and any such act is also not allowed in India.
Hamas is one of the recognised political players of Palestine. The group, which rules the Gaza Strip, carried out an unprecedented multi-front attack – by air, land and sea – in the southern parts of Israel on October 7, triggering a war. With the strong retaliation by Israel, the crisis has entered its second month, with an increasingly dire humanitarian situation inside the besieged Palestinian enclave and no end in sight.
NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR PANNUN
Pannun is a US citizen who is misusing his access in the UK and Canada. He is responsible for acts of terrorism in multiple countries.
Earlier this month, Pannun had offered cash reward for a “citizen’s arrest” of Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma. Announcing the ‘reward’, Pannun had accused Verma of falsely elevating the bogey of terror risk to Air India to “divert consideration” from the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
ALSO READ | SFJ’s Pannun Announces $100,000 Reward for Citizen’s Arrest of Indian High Commissioner to Canada
Members of the SFJ last week disturbed an Indian High Commission event organised by the Vancouver Consulate General in Abbotsford, Canada, even attacking a family for attempting to pick up an Indian flag fallen on the ground, said local sources.
CNN-News18 had earlier reported how Pannun is being funded by Pakistan’s ISI, citing top intelligence sources.
Pannun recently in a statement said that “Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has created more open conversations around India and its handling of the Khalistani independence movement”.
With Agency Inputs
