Palestine Action activists to face retrial

Six Palestine Action activists will face a retrial over alleged damage and violence at a UK site of an Israel-based defence firm.

Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, are accused in connection with a break-in at an Elbit Systems site near Bristol.

They were cleared of aggravated burglary earlier this month but the jury could not decide on criminal damage charges against all defendants, as well as allegations of violent disorder against Head, Corner, and Kamio.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said aggravated burglary charges against 18 other defendants who are accused of taking part in the break-in will be dropped.

She said that decision had been made after the prosecution "reconsidered the sufficiency of the evidence" in relation to the charge. The 18 defendants continue to face other allegations in relation to the break-in.

At the first trial, Corner was accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on that charge.

Head, Corner, Kamio, Rajwani, Rogers and Devlin will face a retrial in relation to all charges against them which did not end in verdicts, Heer said.

Woolwich Crown Court was told this retrial was planned for 16 February 2027.

Palestine Action allege Elbit Systems UK is involved in the manufacture and supply of weapons to the Israeli military - a claim the company strongly denies.

The charges relate to a break-in at Elbit Systems' site in Filton in the early hours of 6 August 2024

The jury at the first trial - which began in November and finished on 4 February - deliberated for more than 36 hours.

Rajwani, Rogers and Devlin were acquitted of violent disorder.

All the defendants from the first trial - except Corner - are on conditional bail after spending about 18 months in custody.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.