Calls for Action as Palestine Action Activists Face Retrial Amidst Protests
Published 11 February 2026
Highlights
- The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is calling for measures to prevent protests outside court during the retrial of Palestine Action activists.
- Six activists face a retrial after a jury failed to reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage and violent disorder.
- Fatema Rajwani, one of the activists, described the jury's decision as a vindication of their cause against the Israeli defence firm.
- The protests outside Woolwich Crown Court were deemed a threat to justice by the CPS, which is concerned about their influence on the jury.
- The CPS will confirm which charges it will pursue at a hearing scheduled for 18 February.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Calls for Action as Palestine Action Activists Face Retrial Amidst Protests
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has urged for measures to curb protests outside court as six Palestine Action activists prepare for a retrial. The activists, including Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, and Fatema Rajwani, are facing charges related to a raid on a UK subsidiary of an Israeli defence firm near Bristol. The initial trial concluded without full verdicts, prompting the CPS to seek a retrial.
Protests and Legal Concerns
Demonstrations outside Woolwich Crown Court during the initial trial have raised concerns about their potential impact on the judicial process. Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, described the protests as a "threat to the administration of justice," emphasizing the need for action to prevent similar occurrences during the retrial. He expressed regret over the protesters' actions, suggesting they were intended to influence the jury.
Activists' Perspective and Legal Proceedings
Fatema Rajwani, the youngest of the activists, hailed the jury's decision as a vindication of their cause. Having spent 18 months in jail, Rajwani was released on bail after being acquitted of aggravated burglary. She argued that their actions aimed to dismantle weapons used in conflict, not to cause harm. The jury's inability to reach a verdict on charges of criminal damage and violent disorder has led to the CPS's decision to pursue a retrial.
Upcoming Legal Steps
The CPS is expected to clarify which charges it will continue to pursue at a hearing on 18 February. The retrial will further examine the events surrounding the raid, including allegations of grievous bodily harm against police sergeant Kate Evans. The case remains a focal point of legal and political debate, particularly in light of the government's recent classification of supporting Palestine Action as a criminal offense under terrorism legislation.
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Scenario Analysis
The upcoming retrial of the Palestine Action activists could have significant legal and political implications. If the CPS successfully prosecutes the activists, it may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled, particularly those involving protests and political activism. Conversely, if the activists are acquitted, it could embolden further demonstrations and challenge the government's stance on protest-related offenses.
Legal experts suggest that the outcome may influence future legislation regarding protests and activism, potentially leading to stricter regulations. The case also highlights the delicate balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain judicial integrity, a topic likely to remain contentious in the public discourse.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has urged for measures to curb protests outside court as six Palestine Action activists prepare for a retrial. The activists, including Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, and Fatema Rajwani, are facing charges related to a raid on a UK subsidiary of an Israeli defence firm near Bristol. The initial trial concluded without full verdicts, prompting the CPS to seek a retrial.
Protests and Legal Concerns
Demonstrations outside Woolwich Crown Court during the initial trial have raised concerns about their potential impact on the judicial process. Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, described the protests as a "threat to the administration of justice," emphasizing the need for action to prevent similar occurrences during the retrial. He expressed regret over the protesters' actions, suggesting they were intended to influence the jury.
Activists' Perspective and Legal Proceedings
Fatema Rajwani, the youngest of the activists, hailed the jury's decision as a vindication of their cause. Having spent 18 months in jail, Rajwani was released on bail after being acquitted of aggravated burglary. She argued that their actions aimed to dismantle weapons used in conflict, not to cause harm. The jury's inability to reach a verdict on charges of criminal damage and violent disorder has led to the CPS's decision to pursue a retrial.
Upcoming Legal Steps
The CPS is expected to clarify which charges it will continue to pursue at a hearing on 18 February. The retrial will further examine the events surrounding the raid, including allegations of grievous bodily harm against police sergeant Kate Evans. The case remains a focal point of legal and political debate, particularly in light of the government's recent classification of supporting Palestine Action as a criminal offense under terrorism legislation.
What this might mean
The upcoming retrial of the Palestine Action activists could have significant legal and political implications. If the CPS successfully prosecutes the activists, it may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled, particularly those involving protests and political activism. Conversely, if the activists are acquitted, it could embolden further demonstrations and challenge the government's stance on protest-related offenses.
Legal experts suggest that the outcome may influence future legislation regarding protests and activism, potentially leading to stricter regulations. The case also highlights the delicate balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain judicial integrity, a topic likely to remain contentious in the public discourse.
