Key facts
- Five Palestine Action activists were convicted of criminal damage for spray painting and splintering windows at a Barclays bank branch in Burnley.
- The activists caused £212,000 in damage to the bank.
- The judge is considering sentencing the activists under terrorism legislation, a possibility not disclosed to the jury or defendants during the trial.
- This potential sentencing follows a precedent set by a judge who previously sentenced four Palestine Action activists as terrorists.
- Critics argue that applying counter-terrorism laws to property damage cases is an overreach and suppresses political dissent.
Five Palestine Action activists face potential sentencing as terrorists for damaging a Barclays Bank branch in Burnley, an act that caused £212,000 in damage. The activists, Brendon O’Hagan, Amanda Kelly, Humeera Atiqnisar, Mohammed Malik, and Alma Yaniv, were found guilty of the offense, which targeted the bank due to its shares in Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems.
Following the verdicts, presiding Judge Phillip Parry stated his intention to consider a "terrorist connection" for sentencing, a possibility that had not been disclosed to the jury or the defendants during the trial. This move follows a precedent set by Mr Justice Johnson, who post-conviction deemed a similar protest against Elbit's factory to have a "terrorist connection," leading to lengthy custodial sentences and 15 years of terrorist notification requirements.
Critics, including the Crown Prosecution Service which argued for the terrorist sentencing based on defendant admissions, argue that using counter-terrorism legislation for property damage cases, especially when not raised during the trial, sets a dangerous precedent and is being used to suppress political dissent and silence voices critical of actions in Gaza. The case also highlights concerns that UK counter-terror laws may capture activities not typically considered terrorism.