Four Palestine Action activists were returned to prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted over a 2024 protest targeting an Elbit Systems weapons factory near Bristol, England. The defendants — Leona Kamio, Samuel Corner, Fatema Rajwani and Charlotte Head — were found guilty of criminal damage after activists allegedly caused more than £1m in damage to drones and equipment at the site.
The case has drawn significant attention after the trial judge ruled that the offences may carry a “terrorist connection,” despite the defendants not facing terrorism charges. Rights groups and supporters argue the decision could set a precedent for treating political protest as terrorism-related activity.
Two other defendants in the case were acquitted. Supporters criticised the decision to return the convicted activists to custody before sentencing, especially after some had already spent lengthy periods on remand. Sentencing is expected in June.
