Four Palestine Action activists, Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Zainab Rajwani, are appealing their sentences after being found guilty of criminal damage with a terrorist connection following a raid on an Israeli arms factory in Filton, near Bristol, in August 2024. This case marks the first instance in British courts where property damage has been categorized as terrorism. Human rights groups have condemned the ruling, stating it sets a dangerous precedent. Shahd Hammouri, a lecturer in international law, expressed concerns that the judgment could undermine the rule of law in the UK.
The activists received sentences ranging from four years and eight months to seven years and eight months. The appeal argues that the conviction violated Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) since Palestine Action was not a proscribed organization at the time of the offense. It also claims the sentences were excessively harsh and violated principles of natural justice and the right to a fair trial under ECHR’s Article 6.
The mothers of Kamio and Rajwani expressed pride in their daughters despite the emotional toll of their sentences. They highlighted the potential long-term impacts of the sentences on their children's futures. Elbit Systems, the target of the raid, describes its drones as integral to the Israeli military.
James Smith, a doctor who recently returned from Gaza, voiced support for the activists, linking their actions to the broader context of healthcare challenges in conflict zones. The activists, known as the “Filton 24,” aimed to disrupt the production of military equipment used in the conflict.
The case gained further attention when Head’s lawyer faced contempt of court accusations for comments made during the trial. In June 2025, the UK government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, leading to significant arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000. Civil liberty organizations have criticized this designation as an overreach. Charlotte Head described her sentencing as politically motivated. The date for the appeal hearing has not yet been set, but the lawyer Simon Natas expressed hope for it to occur in the coming months.