London Court Denies Bail to Filton 24 Activists
A London court has held a bail hearing for twenty-four pro-Palestinian activists collectively known as the Filton 24, who face serious charges over an act of protest that has sparked both outrage and admiration across the UK. The group is accused of causing more than £1 million in damages after breaking into a weapons factory in Filton, Bristol, last year, where they reportedly dismantled and destroyed parts of Israeli-made drone equipment. Prosecutors claim the action targeted components allegedly destined for use by the Israeli military. The defendants, who include students, teachers, engineers, and community organizers, have been held on remand under the UK’s terrorism legislation—a move that rights groups say represents a dangerous escalation against peaceful protest. Supporters gathered outside the court on Tuesday, holding Palestinian flags and chanting in solidarity, demanding their release and calling the terrorism-related charges “politically motivated.” Inside the courtroom, defense lawyers argued that the activists acted to prevent “greater crimes,” pointing to international reports documenting civilian deaths in Gaza and questioning the legality of UK arms exports to Israel. They urged the court to recognize the protest as a moral act of civil disobedience rather than a criminal conspiracy. The Crown Prosecution Service, however, maintains that the case is about property destruction, not politics. Prosecutors insist the charges are based solely on the scale of the damage and the risk posed to factory staff during the incident. The judge has reserved the bail decision, with a ruling expected later this week. The Filton 24 case has quickly become a flashpoint in Britain’s ongoing debate over the limits of protest, freedom of expression, and the UK’s role in supplying weapons used in global conflicts.
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