Jailed Oxford University Graduate and Palestine Activist to Appeal Sentence
The activists argue the judge used the wrong legal test and imposed penalties that were too severe after a jury convicted them of criminal damage.
- On Thursday, ITN Solicitors partner Simon Natas confirmed the Filton 4 are appealing their sentences as "manifestly excessive," arguing Justice Johnson wrongly applied a terrorist connection to their criminal damage convictions.
- Presiding judge Justice Johnson sentenced the group in June after ruling their August 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems factory carried a "terrorist connection," marking a legal first for direct action protesters despite their acquittal on violent charges.
- Defense filings contend the "terrorist connection scheme" violates Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights , which prevents "punishment without law," and Article 6, which protects the right to a fair trial.
- Sukaina Rajwani, mother of defendant Fatema Rajwani, told a press conference Thursday her daughter can contact only 20 vetted individuals as a terrorist prisoner, which she claims "will cut her off from most of her family, friends and support network."
- Natas, who has defended protest cases for over 15 years, warned the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, asserting that the "bar for what terrorism is" has been set "very, very high" by this unprecedented judicial decision.
11 Articles
11 Articles
speakers gather as Palestine Action appeal sentences
Law experts, family members and a British medic who worked in Gaza during Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians gathered in London on Thursday 3 September 2026. They came together to mark the launch of an appeal by four Palestine Action prisoners against the court’s “grotesque” decision to sentence them as terrorists – despite them being […] By Skwawkbox
Oxford Mail
thisisoxfordshire.co.ukJailed Oxford University graduate and Palestine activist to appeal sentence
The Palestine Action activist and Oxford University graduate is to appeal his jail sentence along with several others.
Palestine Action activists seek to overturn sentences after being jailed for causing £1.2m in damages
Four Palestine Action activists jailed after causing an estimated £1.2million in damage during a raid on an Israel-based defence company’s UK facility are to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider their sentences, their solicitor has said.Charlotte Head, 30, Samuel Corner, 24, Leona Kamio, 31, and Fatema Rajwani, 22, were convicted after entering the Elbit Systems site near Bristol in August 2024, using sledgehammers and crowbars to damage comput…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
