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Palestine Action defendants may spend 18 months awaiting trial Six more Palestine Action defendants appear at Old Bailey
(about 1 hour later)
The group were charged after an incident at Elbit Systems' Bristol site in August 2024The group were charged after an incident at Elbit Systems' Bristol site in August 2024
Six people accused of breaking into an Israeli-linked defence firm and causing more than £1m worth of damage could spend 18 months in custody awaiting trial. Six people have appeared at the Old Bailey charged with offences relating to break-ins allegedly committed by supporters of Palestine Action, the campaign group recently banned under terrorism legislation.
They were arrested after members of Palestine Action allegedly broke into the Elbit Systems site, near Patchway in Bristol, armed with sledgehammers and whips, in the early hours of 6 August 2024. The six defendants are accused of taking part in an alleged August 2024 break-in at Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence firm.
The campaign group alleges Elbit Systems UK is involved in the manufacture and supply of weapons to the Israeli military - a claim the company strongly denies. The incident played a key role in the Home Secretary's order banning Palestine Action last month.
On Friday, the six appeared at the Old Bailey charged with aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder, and were given a provisional trial date of 1 February 2027. There are now 24 people accused of offences relating to the Elbit Systems break-in.
Louie Adams, 33, of north London, Harland Archer, 20, of Whitstable in Kent, Finn Collins, 19, also of Whitstable, Moiz Ibrahim, 27, of west London, Salaam Mahmood, 19, of south-east London and Liam Mullany, 33, of Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, are now jointly accused of three charges with the first 18 other defendants.
Prosecutors allege the group committed aggravated burglary with the assistance of sledgehammers, and criminal damage of more than £1m at Elbit's Bristol facilities. The defendants are further charged with violent disorder.
Today's six were remanded in custody to next appear in court on 12 December for a plea hearing.
The first 18 defendants, who have pleaded not guilty, are preparing for trials at various dates, beginning in November.
A group of protesters gathered outside the London court as the case was being heard.A group of protesters gathered outside the London court as the case was being heard.
The defendants are: The six people who appeared in court today are the latest to be charged over the incident following a series of raids by Counter Terrorism Policing South East.
Finn Collins, 19, from Whitstable in Kent
Harland Archer, 20, from Whitstable
Salaam Mahmood, 19, from Abbey Wood, south-east London
Moiz Ibrahim, 27, from West Kilburn, north-west London
Louie Adams, 33, from Hornsey, north London
Liam Mullany, 33, from Poole in Dorset
They are the latest to be charged over the incident following a series of raids by Counter Terrorism Policing South East.
Prosecutors said the alleged offences had a "terrorist connection".Prosecutors said the alleged offences had a "terrorist connection".
People protested outside the Old Bailey during Friday's hearingPeople protested outside the Old Bailey during Friday's hearing
Eighteen other people have been charged in relation to the same incident and are awaiting trials split into three groups.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb explained the crown court did not have the capacity to conduct a trial with more than six co-defendants in custody at the same time.Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb explained the crown court did not have the capacity to conduct a trial with more than six co-defendants in custody at the same time.
This meant the earliest date for a fourth trial, involving the six defendants who appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, was in 2027, but efforts would be made to bring it forward, she said.This meant the earliest date for a fourth trial, involving the six defendants who appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, was in 2027, but efforts would be made to bring it forward, she said.
A plea hearing has been set at Woolwich Crown Court for 12 December.A plea hearing has been set at Woolwich Crown Court for 12 December.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Government on 5 July this year.Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Government on 5 July this year.
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