Palestine Action activists seek appeal over terrorism-linked sentences for Elbit raid

Four activists from Palestine Action—Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio and Fatema Rajwani—were convicted for using sledgehammers and crowbars to destroy computers, drones and other equipment at Elbit Systems' factory near Bristol, inflicting £1.2 million in damage in August 2024. During the raid, Corner hit police officer Kate Evans twice on the back with a seven-pound sledgehammer, causing a fractured spine; he was sentenced to seven years and eight months, while Head and Kamio received five-year terms and Rajwani four years and eight months.

For the first time, the convictions were classified as having a terrorist connection, meaning the defendants must serve at least two-thirds of their terms, face Parole Board hearings, endure an additional year on licence and be subject to terrorist notification requirements for 15 years. Their solicitor Simon Natas, who has represented protest groups for over 15 years, says the terrorism classification was a legal error and is seeking permission to appeal the sentences as excessive. The Court of Appeal has logged the request and will review it in a single-judge hearing.