Four people have been remanded in custody after allegedly causing £7 million worth of damage to two Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton during a demonstration by Palestine Action members. The incident occurred on 20 June at the Oxfordshire military base.
Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, and Lewis Chiaramello, 22, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday. The defendants spoke only to confirm their names and were not asked to enter pleas.
Terrorism charges filed
Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) charged the defendants on Wednesday with conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom. They also face conspiracy to commit criminal damage charges under the Criminal Law Act 1977.
Prosecutor Richard Link told the court that each defendant is heavily involved in Palestine Action. He said the charges came after a serious incident of criminal damage was reported on 20 June, adding that the prosecution believes the defendants live "transient lifestyles".
Parliament votes to ban group
On the same day the charges were filed, MPs backed the Government's move to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The Commons voted 385 to 26, with a majority of 359, in favour of proscribing the group under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The motion is expected to be debated and voted on by the House of Lords on Thursday afternoon before it becomes law. This would make Palestine Action the latest organisation to be banned under anti-terrorism legislation.
Court scenes and supporters
There was applause and chants of "Free Palestine" from the packed public gallery as the defendants were led away. One defendant kissed his hands towards supporters as people shouted "We love you Daniel".
CTPSE said on Wednesday that a 41-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender had been released on bail until 19 September. A 23-year-old man was arrested and released without charge, police added.
The four defendants will next appear at the Old Bailey on 18 July for their next hearing.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
