London, UK – Four Palestine Action activists sentenced as terrorists have launched an appeal against their convictions and prison terms.
Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio and Fatema Zainab Rajwani were found guilty of criminal damage “with a terrorist connection” after a raid in August 2024 on an Israeli arms factory in Filton, near Bristol. The protest was claimed by Palestine Action.
The sentencing marked the first time that property damage has been classified as “terrorism” by a British court, prompting condemnation from human‑rights groups in June. Critics warned the ruling could set a wide‑ranging legal precedent.
“If uncontested, this judgment would mark a flagrant departure from the rule of law, favouring foreign criminal actors at the expense of UK citizens,” said Shahd Hammouri, a lecturer in international law and researcher on corporate war profiteering, during a London press conference where supporters announced the appeal. “It will also set out a precedent that may extend to others who are protesting against grave violations of international law.”
Head and Kamio received five‑year sentences each. Corner, who was also convicted of grievous bodily harm after striking a police officer during the raid, was handed seven years and eight months. The youngest defendant, 21‑year‑old Rajwani, received four years and eight months.
The appeal argues that the conviction breaches Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights because Palestine Action was not a proscribed organisation at the time of the offence. It further contends that “the sentences were manifestly excessive” and violated natural justice and Article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the ECHR.
The mothers of Kamio and Rajwani, visibly emotional when describing prison conditions and the future restrictions their daughters may face, expressed pride in their children’s activism. “She may be embroiled in this struggle for her freedom for another 20 years,” said Sukaina Rajwani. Emma Kamio added that Leona would be 50 years old when her sentence ends, highlighting the decades of post‑release supervision.
Elbit Systems, the primary target of the raid, describes its drones as the “backbone” of the Israeli army. The August 2024 operation targeted the company’s UK affiliate.
Palestine Action states it is “committed to ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime”. The group uses direct action to disrupt arms and military‑related goods flowing to Israel, asserting that “If one action stops one weapon from killing a Palestinian, then it’s all worth it.”
James Smith, a doctor who returned eight days ago from providing urgent medical care in Gaza, said it was “an honour” to support the activists. He linked direct‑action efforts to the challenges health workers face confronting Israeli quadcopter drones, referencing the April 2024 shooting of a 10‑month‑old baby in Gaza by such a drone.
The activists, dubbed the “Filton 24”, said their raid specifically targeted quadcopter drones manufactured by Elbit Systems. Smith highlighted the medical principle “prevention is better than cure” when discussing the protests.
People labelled as terrorists endure lasting stigma and heightened scrutiny after release, which can impede employment and personal freedoms. Concern persists that Leona Kamio’s prior work in early‑years education may be jeopardised by enhanced vetting procedures following her release.
Supporters of the four have warned that they will be subject to a 15‑year notification regime, requiring police notification of new devices, bank accounts, addresses, travel plans or relationships.
In June, Head’s attorney, Rajiv Menon KC, was accused of contempt after stating that Elbit Systems enjoys privileged access to policymakers and reminding jurors of their conscience‑based acquittal rights. Menon now faces contempt proceedings, a move senior lawyers have criticised as overly punitive.
“[Judge] Johnson did his worst,” Emma Kamio said of the sentencing.
In June 2025 the UK designated Palestine Action a terrorist organisation, making membership or support a criminal offence. Over 2 700 arrests have been made under the Terrorism Act 2000 for protesting the ban, which followed activists spray‑painting a Royal Air Force aircraft. The proscription placed the group alongside al‑Qaeda, ISIS and extreme far‑right organisations.
Civil‑liberty groups and United Nations experts have condemned the ban as an illiberal overreach. Charlotte Head, writing from prison, described the sentencing as “politically motivated to justify the proscription of Palestine Action”.
There is currently no set date for the appeal hearing, although lawyer Simon Natas said he hoped proceedings would begin “in the coming months”.
