Six Palestine Action Activists Stand Trial for Elbit Systems Break-in in UK
Six activists from the group Palestine Action have appeared at London’s Woolwich Crown Court to stand trial for criminal damage related to an August 2024 break-in at an Elbit Systems factory near Bristol. The defendants, including Charlotte Head, Jordan Devlin, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers, Samuel Corner, and Leona Kamio, face charges connected to the raid on the Israeli-owned arms manufacturer. Samuel Corner faces an additional charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent for allegedly striking a police officer. Prior to the trial, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped violent disorder charges against three defendants. Five of the accused were granted bail in February after exceeding standard pre-trial custody limits, while Corner remains in custody. The trial occurs shortly after the High Court ruled the UK government’s ban on Palestine Action unlawful, a decision currently under appeal. Presiding judge Mr Justice Johnson instructed jurors to ignore the group’s proscription status and political views on Gaza, emphasizing that verdicts must be based solely on evidence. The proceedings are expected to last three weeks.
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Six Palestine Action Activists Stand Trial for Elbit Systems Break-in in UK
Six activists from the group Palestine Action have appeared at London’s Woolwich Crown Court to stand trial for criminal damage related to an August 2024 break-in at an Elbit Systems factory near Bristol. The defendants, including Charlotte Head, Jordan Devlin, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers, Samuel Corner, and Leona Kamio, face charges connected to the raid on the Israeli-owned arms manufacturer. Samuel Corner faces an additional charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent for allegedly striking a police officer. Prior to the trial, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped violent disorder charges against three defendants. Five of the accused were granted bail in February after exceeding standard pre-trial custody limits, while Corner remains in custody. The trial occurs shortly after the High Court ruled the UK government’s ban on Palestine Action unlawful, a decision currently under appeal. Presiding judge Mr Justice Johnson instructed jurors to ignore the group’s proscription status and political views on Gaza, emphasizing that verdicts must be based solely on evidence. The proceedings are expected to last three weeks.
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