日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — uk-jury-fails-verdicts-palestine-action-activists-elbit
UK Jury Fails to Reach Verdicts on Seven Palestine Action Activists in Elbit Factory Raid Trial
REL_TIME: 21 Aug 2026 01:13Z · LANG: EN
A jury at London's Old Bailey has been discharged after failing to reach verdicts on criminal damage and violent disorder charges against seven Palestine Action activists. The defendants, part of the 'Filton 25', were accused under the joint enterprise doctrine of coordinating a destructive August 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems arms factory in Filton, near Bristol. While one unnamed defendant who absconded was convicted of criminal damage in absentia, the jury remained deadlocked on the other seven after over 37 hours of deliberations. The activists, who spent up to 18 months on remand as 'terrorist prisoners' following Palestine Action's proscription in July 2025, maintained they acted out of moral necessity against arms manufacturing linked to Gaza. The Crown Prosecution Service must decide by September 14, 2026, whether to seek a retrial.
// Background
In August 2024, activists associated with Palestine Action raided an Elbit Systems weapons factory in Filton, near Bristol, destroying quadcopter drones and other military equipment. Elbit Systems, Israel's largest weapons company, has been a frequent target of direct action protests in the UK. Following the raid, the UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation on July 5, 2025. This designation led to defendants being arrested by counter-terrorism police and held under strict remand conditions normally reserved for terror suspects, despite several only facing charges of criminal damage and violent disorder.
// Key Developments
- Jurors discharged after failing to reach verdicts on 14 of 15 charges against seven Palestine Action defendants after over 37 hours of deliberations.
- One unnamed defendant who absconded was convicted of criminal damage in absentia by a 9-1 majority.
- Defendants were prosecuted under the joint enterprise doctrine for allegedly coordinating the August 2024 raid on Elbit Systems' Filton factory, though none entered the site.
- Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK government on July 5, 2025.
- Defendants spent up to 18 months on remand under restrictive 'terrorist prisoner' conditions, sparking heavy criticism from defense advocates.
// Timeline
-
Activists carry out a destructive raid on the Elbit Systems weapons factory in Filton, Bristol.
-
Defendant Teuta Hoxha is arrested by counter-terrorism police.
-
The UK government officially proscribes Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
-
An initial trial concludes with six co-defendants acquitted of aggravated burglary, while the jury hangs on other charges.
-
A retrial of the 'red team' activists concludes with four convictions for criminal damage and one for GBH without intent.
-
The trial of the eight alleged coordinators begins at the Old Bailey.
-
The jury is discharged after failing to reach verdicts on seven defendants after over 37 hours of deliberations.
-
A court hearing is scheduled to determine whether the Crown Prosecution Service will pursue a retrial.
// Perspectives
[Filton 25 Defence Committee]
Condemned the prosecution as a politically manipulated attempt to justify the proscription of Palestine Action, arguing that the prolonged pre-trial remand of up to 18 months was used as a form of pre-emptive punishment.
[The Prosecution (Crown)]
Argued that the defendants actively coordinated, assisted, and encouraged the raid by conducting reconnaissance, purchasing equipment, and organizing via encrypted Signal groups under joint enterprise.
[Palestine Action Defendants]
Maintained their innocence regarding violent disorder and argued their actions were morally driven to stop the production of weapons used against civilians in Gaza.
// Quotes
“If the prosecution is right, perhaps she should be called the invisible coordinator.”
“We didn’t know how an action could turn into a terrorism case. We were all terrorist prisoners.”
“In 20 minutes, six activists had broken into Elbit’s most secure facility and dismantled 40 drones, battle simulators and more. I was obviously incredibly proud.”
