After 37 hours of deliberation, jurors failed to reach verdicts on most charges. Jurors in the eight-week trial of eight Palestine Action activists accused of planning a raid on an Israeli-owned arms factory were discharged on Wednesday after failing to reach verdicts for seven defendants.
The eighth defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of criminal damage by a 9–1 majority.
The defendants could now face a retrial. Several smiled as the jury was discharged, while supporters in the public gallery applauded. Around 100 people later gathered outside, chanting: ‘I believe that we have won.’
The eight were accused of helping plan a break-in at Elbit Systems’ factory in Filton, Bristol, on 6 August 2024. Six other Palestine Action activists entered the factory and damaged more than a dozen drones.
The raid triggered Operation Recomply, a major police crackdown that saw arrests across the UK, including of people who were not at the factory. Some defendants spent up to 18 months in pre-trial detention, with several going on hunger strike.
Prosecutors relied on joint enterprise laws despite none of the eight being present during the raid. The six activists who carried out the factory raid were tried twice earlier this year. Four were eventually convicted of criminal damage under terrorism charges and received combined sentences of more than 25 years.
A hearing on whether the eight defendants will face a retrial is expected in September.
