Barrister representing four who smashed drones at Israeli arms factory says ruling of ‘terrorist connection’ led to heftier sentences
Palestine Action activists who were the first defendants convicted of property damage whose offending was deemed to have a “terrorist connection” have launched an appeal of “fundamental constitutional importance” against the judge’s finding.
Charlotte Head, 30, Leona Kamio, 31, Fatema Rajwani, 22, and Samuel Corner, 24, received lengthy sentences in June for smashing up drones and other equipment at Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems’ factory in Filton, Bristol, in 2024.
Mr Justice Johnson’s decision to sentence them as terrorists after a jury found them guilty of non-terrorism offences – they were committed before Palestine Action was banned – has been criticised by civil liberties groups, including Liberty and Amnesty International.
Simon Natas, of ITN solicitors, who is representing the four prisoners, said serious property damage, which can constitute terrorism, was not clearly defined and could catch a wide range of offending, making the appeal of “fundamental constitutional importance”.
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See the originsal article at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/03/pro-palestine-activists-who-were-sentenced-as-terrorists-launch-appeal
