Seven charged over protest at Israeli-based firm’s UK site

Seven people have been charged over a Palestine Action protest at an Israeli-based defence firm’s site and face claims from prosecutors that they were involved in terrorist-related activities.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it would submit to the court that an incident at the Elbit Systems UK building near Patchway, south Gloucestershire , on 6 August had a “terrorist connection”.

Avon and Somerset police said a group of people forced their way into the building, using a vehicle to smash through the doors, before employees were “seriously assaulted”.

The force said two of its officers who attended the disruption were also “seriously assaulted in the course of their duties”.

Palestine Action have issued a statement saying the police and CPS claims are designed to prejudice opinion and legal proceedings against activists.

Video footage shared by the group last week showed activists spraying red paint and using sledgehammers to damage machinery inside the facility.

Samuel Corner, 22, has been charged with criminal damage, violent disorder, aggravated burglary, grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of actual bodily harm.

Jordan Devlin, 30, Charlotte Head, 28, Leona Kameo, 28, Fatema Rajwani, 20, and Zoe Rogers, 20, have all been charged with criminal damage, violent disorder and aggravated burglary.

Hannah Davidson, 51, has been charged with criminal damage and aggravated burglary.

They were all charged by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, which is leading the investigation, and will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday.

A 45-year-old man from Warwickshire remains in custody on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after magistrates granted a warrant allowing detectives to further question him until Friday.

A 33-year-old man from Manchester also remains in custody on suspicion of the same offence, with magistrates granting detectives a warrant to question him until Saturday.

Supt Dan Forster, the north-east area commander for Avon and Somerset police, said: “At this stage, it appears those involved have travelled into the Avon and Somerset police area from other parts of the country to commit these serious offences.

“We’re not aware of any wider risk to the local community in South Gloucestershire, or any other part of our force area, but we’d encourage anyone with concerns to speak with a member of their neighbourhood policing team, either through 101 or through our website.”

A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: “Despite arrests under the Terrorism Act, giving the police the ability to detain without charge for up to 14 days, none of the activists have been charged with terrorism offences. This not only vindicates the activists but proves the state was abusing their powers by holding them under draconian laws which saw them interrogated day after day – all in a bid to protect Israel’s biggest weapons manufacturer.”