Four imprisoned Palestine Action activists appeal ‘terrorism’ sentences

London, the UK – Four Palestine Action activists who were sentenced as “terrorists” are appealing against the ruling.

Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Zainab Rajwani were found guilty of criminal damage “with a terrorist connection” following a raid, which was claimed by Palestine Action, on an Israeli arms factory in August 2024 in Filton, near Bristol.

The sentencing marked the first categorisation of property damage as “terrorism” in British courts.

“Uncontested, this judgement will also mark a flagrant departure from the rule of law in favour of foreign criminal actors and against and in the detriment of UK citizens,” said Shahd Hammouri, lecturer in international law and researcher of corporate war profiteering at the University of Kent, as she spoke on Thursday during a press conference in London, where supporters of the group announced the appeal.

“It will also set out a precedent that may extend to others who are protesting against grave violations of international law.”

At the time of the incident, Palestine Action was not a proscribed organisation.

Activists Head and Kamio were handed five-year sentences, while Corner, who was also convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent for striking a police officer during the raid, was given seven years and eight months. Rajwani, who at 21 is the youngest of the group, was handed a sentence of four years and eight months.

The appeal argues that the conviction violated Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as Palestine Action was not a proscribed organisation at the time of the offence. It also argues that “the sentences were manifestly excessive” and violated the “principles of natural justice” as well as ECHR’s Article 6, which regards the right to a fair trial.