Palestine Action-Linked ‘Barclays Five’ Protesters Are Not Terrorists, Court Rules
Judge Robert Altham ruled the five activists will face only criminal damage sentences, rejecting a terrorism link that could have brought longer jail terms.
- Judge Robert Altham ruled on Friday that five Palestine Action activists will not face terrorism sentencing for vandalizing a Barclays branch, determining their criminal damage conviction does not meet the legal threshold for a 'terrorist connection'.
- The potential terrorism classification followed a controversial precedent set at Woolwich Crown Court, where Palestine Action activists were previously sentenced as terrorists for damaging an Israeli weapons factory despite conviction only of criminal damage.
- On August 5, 2024, the five activists caused £200,000 in damage to a Barclays branch in Burnley, targeting the bank to protest its financial ties to the Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems.
- Supporters cheered outside Preston Crown Court after the ruling, while the defendants issued a joint statement saying they were "extremely relieved" that a terrorism sentence, which they argued should never have been considered, was rejected.
- Defendants will be sentenced for criminal damage on September 4, though civil rights group Liberty warned the development reflects fears that "terrorism laws are used to target protesters".
20 Articles
20 Articles
Report: Palestine Action's 'Barclays five' spared terrorism sentences
The five were convicted of causing more than £200,000 in damage after targeting a Barclays branch over its ties to Israel's Elbit Systems. The judge said the damage, while significant, did not meet the threshold for terrorism-related sentencing
Activists faced an unusual charge as terrorists for breaking windows and throwing red paint at a branch of the Barclays bank, which has financial links to the Israeli armament apparatus.
Palestine Action activists who vandalised Barclays branch will not be sentenced as terrorists
Palestine Action activists who vandalised Barclays branch will not be sentenced as terrorists . Palestine Action activists convicted of vandalising a Barclays bank branch in Burnley will not face sentencing under terrorism legislation
‘Barclays 5′ Palestine Activists Won’t Be Tried as Terrorists
A U.K. judge ruled Friday that the damage protesters caused at a bank branch was not enough to merit terrorism sentencing, Dania Akkad reports. Sentencing is on Sept. 4. By Dania Akkad Declassified UK Five activists who broke windows and…Read more →
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