Six Palestine Action activists cleared of burglary at Israel-linked Elbit Systems

Six Palestine Action activists have been acquitted of aggravated burglary following a high-profile trial over a break-in at an Elbit Systems UK factory in Bristol, with jurors returning not guilty verdicts on the most serious charges.

The six defendants, known as the Filton 6, were charged after an early morning action at the Elbit Systems site in August 2024. Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin stood trial at Woolwich Crown Court accused of aggravated burglary, after prosecutors alleged they used or threatened unlawful violence during the incident.

The prosecution argued that the activists intended to cause extensive damage and intimidate security staff. It was alleged that sledgehammers were used as weapons and that guards were sworn at, threatened and sprayed with a fire extinguisher. The defence rejected claims that any violence was planned or intended.

All six defendants were unanimously acquitted of aggravated burglary. Jurors also found Rajwani, Rogers and Devlin not guilty of violent disorder. However, after 36 hours and 34 minutes of deliberations, the jury was unable to reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage against all six defendants.

Court verdicts 

The court also heard that no verdict was reached on an allegation that Corner inflicted grievous bodily harm on Police Sergeant Kate Evans. Jurors likewise failed to reach verdicts on violent disorder charges against Head, Corner and Kamio, leaving those counts unresolved at the close of the trial.

Following the acquittals, the six activists embraced in the dock as supporters in the public gallery cheered, underscoring the significance of the outcome after a lengthy and closely watched legal process.

Jurors were shown footage of the activists wearing red jumpsuits during the demonstration in the early hours of August 6, 2024. Prosecutors said the group attempted to gain access to information and equipment belonging to the company while causing maximum disruption.

Outline of action details

The jury heard that at around 3.30am, Head drove a prison van into the site’s perimeter fence, using it as a battering ram to gain entry. Head later described the episode to jurors as “the craziest 20 minutes of my life”.

Body-worn camera footage from a security guard showed three defendants approaching him and shouting “f*** off”, with one holding a lit flare and two others carrying sledgehammers. Prosecutors argued this conduct amounted to threats of violence.

All defendants except Devlin gave evidence in court. They admitted entering the factory without permission and damaging equipment, including computers and drones, but maintained that the sledgehammers were used solely to destroy property and were not “in any circumstances intended to injure security staff”. The court also heard that no violence was planned as part of the action.During jury deliberations, the court was told that posters had appeared near the court stating: “The jury decide, not the judge”, “Jury equity is when a jury acquits someone on moral grounds”, and “Jurors can give a not guilty verdict even when they believe a defendant has broken the law”.Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said police had been asked to remove the posters, but they continued to reappear. One juror emailed the court to say they had seen the posters and felt someone was “trying to influence the jury and their decisions”. Despite the concern, the jury went on to acquit the defendants on the most serious charges.

Campaign response 

Naila Ahmed, head of campaigns at advocacy group CAGE, welcomed the verdict. She said the acquittals were “a huge victory for the movement, both nationally and abroad, and a powerful affirmation of jury independence and moral courage in the face of extraordinary political pressure”.

She added that while the defendants could not reclaim “the 17 months of their life taken from them unlawfully”, they should be compensated, and that the remaining 18 defendants in the Filton 24 case should be released on bail.

Ahmed said the case had been used to justify the ban on Palestine Action, a decision she argued should now be overturned. CAGE is calling for full compensation, the lifting of the ban, and an independent inquiry into how the case was handled. The verdict is expected to have wider implications for how protest-related cases are prosecuted in the future.