13 August 2024 , 21:11
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Police say employees and officers were assaulted at Elbit Systems UK building in South Gloucestershire
Seven people have appeared in court 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 that an incident at the Elbit Systems UK building near Patchway, South Gloucestershire, on 6 August had a “terrorist connection”. A vehicle was driven into the doors, Westminster magistrates court was told on Tuesday.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East 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”.
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, is charged with grievous bodily harm for “unlawfully and maliciously” wounding Sgt Kate Evans “with intent to resist or prevent the lawful apprehension or detention of another”.
It is also alleged that he caused actual bodily harm to Angelo Volante and PC Aaron Buxton.
The court heard that Corner, who lives with his parents in Georgeham, Devon, has a linguistics and philosophy degree from the University of Oxford and wants to complete a master’s.
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.
Head, Rajwani and Rogers appeared in court first and denied criminal damage and violent disorder.
They entered no pleas for aggravated burglary as it is an indictable-only offence and must be dealt with by a crown court. The three defendants were remanded in custody.
Corner, Devlin, Kamio and Davidson entered no pleas and were also remanded into custody. All seven will next appear at the Old Bailey on 13 September.
They were all charged by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, which is leading the investigation.
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.”