- Four Palestine Action activists were convicted of criminal damage following a £1m raid on an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol, with one also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer.
- Mr Justice Johnson made a pre-trial ruling that the charges had a 'terrorist connection,' which could lead to aggravated sentences, longer prison terms served in full, and post-release monitoring by counter-terror police.
- The judge is expected to consider this terror link during sentencing on 12 June, despite the High Court having previously declared the government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation unlawful, a decision currently under appeal.
- The activists' defence, which argued the action was necessary to protect Palestinians and prevent military equipment from being used in Gaza, was significantly limited by the judge in pre-trial rulings.
- Supporters of the defendants have criticised the process, alleging a 'stitch-up' because jurors were not informed of the potential terror link or the implications for sentencing.
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