Who is Maya Hadzhipetkova? What Happened in London?
by M Nishali
Updated Feb 01, 2024
Who is Maya Hadzhipetkova?
Maya Hadzhipetkova is a part-time volunteer police officer currently in the spotlight due to an incident involving Christian gospel singer Harmonie London. On January 29, 2024, London posted a video on Instagram, capturing Hadzhipetkova telling her she couldn't sing church songs outside of a church on Oxford Street.
The video went viral, showing the officer sticking her tongue out at the singer, leading to public outcry and a subsequent investigation by the Metropolitan Police.Maya Hadzhipetkova's background reveals a diverse journey. Originally from Bulgaria, she moved to Cyprus in 2009 before settling in the UK five years later.
Her professional life includes roles such as a pub manager at the Black Lion in Kilburn, west London, and employment as a Barista Maestro at Costa Coffee. Hadzhipetkova's social media portrays a globetrotting lifestyle, featuring photos from various countries.The controversy sparked online backlash as people condemned Hadzhipetkova for allegedly infringing on the singer's freedom of religion.
The video, titled "Unpaid volunteer officer doesn’t like gospel songs," gained significant attention, amassing 495k views on Instagram. Political figures, like Ann Widdecombe, criticized the officer's actions, emphasizing that singing church songs is not an offense. Norman Brennan, a former police officer and anti-crime campaigner, expressed concern about the negative impact on public support for policing.
As the Metropolitan Police reviews the incident, it has highlighted broader discussions about individual rights, particularly freedom of expression and religion, and the conduct expected of volunteer officers in the community.
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What Happened in London?
In London, there's a situation involving Maya Hadzhipetkova, a volunteer police officer, and Harmonie London, a Christian gospel singer. On January 29, 2024, outside John Lewis on Oxford Street, Hadzhipetkova reportedly told London she couldn't sing church songs outside the church, even sticking her tongue out at her. The incident, captured in a video posted by London on Instagram, has caused a stir.
The Metropolitan Police is now investigating the matter, reviewing a 40-minute body-worn footage of the incident. Although there are no specific laws against singing on pavements in the UK, the officer's actions have led to controversy. Hadzhipetkova, originally from Bulgaria, has lived in various countries before settling in the UK, working at Costa Coffee and holding other odd jobs.
The incident has gained attention online, with London's video amassing views. Critics, including politician Ann Widdecombe and former police officer Norman Brennan, have condemned Hadzhipetkova's actions, emphasizing the need to maintain public confidence in policing. The situation highlights broader discussions about individual rights, like freedom of expression and religion, and the expectations from volunteer officers within the community.
Who is Maya Hadzhipetkova - FAQs
Maya Hadzhipetkova is a part-time volunteer police officer currently under investigation for an incident involving Christian gospel singer Harmonie London.
On that day, Hadzhipetkova allegedly told Harmonie London she couldn't sing church songs outside a church on Oxford Street, leading to a viral video and subsequent Metropolitan Police investigation.
Originally from Bulgaria, she moved to Cyprus in 2009 before settling in the UK. She has worked as a pub manager and a Barista Maestro at Costa Coffee.
Hadzhipetkova faced criticism for allegedly infringing on Harmonie London's freedom of religion by preventing her from singing church songs outside a church.
The incident has prompted discussions about individual rights, particularly freedom of expression and religion, and the expectations from volunteer police officers within the community.