A UK court sentenced four pro-Palestinian activists to a combined sentence of over 20 years for an August 2024 break-in at Elbit Systems' Bristol plant, which caused damage estimated at over £1 million. The judge aggravated their sentences after finding the incident had a "connection to terrorism," rejecting defense arguments that the activists only sought to "destroy weapons." The sentences range from 15 to 22 years, each including an additional year of supervised release.
A UK court has corrected the sentences for the four pro-Palestinian activists who broke into an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol in August 2024, sentencing them to terms of 15 to 22 years each, totaling over 20 years combined. This update, as of Thursday morning, revises earlier reports from the same court session on Wednesday, June 12, which initially cited shorter prison terms of 4 to 7 years based on partial information from journalist Asaf Rozentzweig (N12). The judge ruled the incident had a "connection to terrorism," rejecting defense arguments that the activists sought only to "destroy weapons" to stop the fighting in Gaza. The damage was estimated at £1.2 million, already paid by insurers, and an additional year of supervised release was imposed on each defendant.
As The Zioneer reported on Wednesday, June 12 at 17:50 Jerusalem, 72 protesters were arrested outside the courthouse during the trial, a figure that swelled to over 100 by the time the sentencing was delivered at 22:20 Jerusalem. The initial reports, also at 22:20 Jerusalem, placed the sentences at 4 to 7 years, but further detail from the court later confirmed the significantly higher range of 15 to 22 years, reflecting the judge's determination that the offense was terror-linked.
Background context, as The Zioneer reported on June 12, the incident occurred roughly 10 months after the outbreak of the Swords of Iron war. The factory specialized in military drone equipment, and the break-in caused extensive damage to information systems and computers. The protesters were part of a pro-Palestinian campaign targeting defense contractors.
What remains open is whether the defendants will appeal the sentences, given the sharp discrepancy between initial expectations and the final terror-linked penalty, and whether any further arrests from the courthouse protests will result in additional charges.
4 developments
- Developing72 arrested outside London court during trial of pro-Palestinian activists who vandalized Elbit factory
- DevelopingBahrain court sentences 12 to 10 years for supporting Iran attacks
- DevelopingGerman court sentences 35-year-old man to 8.5 years for plotting synagogue attack
- StrongFormer soccer player sentenced to 1 year in prison for running over protesters in Tel Aviv
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