Six persons are charged after pro-Palestinian protesters broke into Israeli-owned drone manufacturing unit in Leicestershire: Counter-terrorism police lead investigation
Six people have been charged after pro-Palestinian protesters broke into an Israeli-owned drone factory in Leicestershire.
Police were called to reports of a van being driven into a gate at UAV Tactical Systems on Meridian Way in Braunstone at around 3.10am on Friday.
Members of a group known as People Against Genocide were said to have then scaled the building before vandalising it and attacking it with electric saws.
The organisation describes itself on its social media as ‘a group taking direct action to stop the UK-Israel weapons trade’.
The business they targeted is a subsidiary of Israeli-owned weapons firm Elbit Systems, which makes drones for the British Army and international clients.
A group of four men and two women have since each been charged with burglary and causing criminal damage.
An investigation has since been launched by counter-terrorism officers at Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands, assisted by Leicestershire Police.
Peter Jones, 41, of Hoveton, Norwich, Michael Sackur, 28, of Reading, Berkshire, and Megan Kennard, 25, of Lancing, West Sussex, are among those charged.
Police were called to reports of a van being driven into a gate at UAV Tactical Systems on Meridian Way in Braunstone at around 3.10am on Friday. Pictured: Videos filmed by activists targeting the building
Members of a group known as People Against Genocide were said to have then scaled the building before vandalising it and attacking it with electric saws (pictured, in footage filmed by the campaigners)
A group of four men and two women have since each been charged with burglary and causing criminal damage. Pictured: A video filmed by a campaigner during the incident
An investigation has since been launched by counter-terrorism officers at Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands, assisted by Leicestershire Police. Pictured: Spray painting left by the activists at the factory
The defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Pictured: Spray painting left on the factory by the activists
Internal pipework and equipment within the building was left sprayed with red paint
They were joined by Seirol Davies, 31, of Margate Kent, Rhae Rivers, 39, also of Margate, and Hal Hockney, 27, of Hackney, London.
The defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Videos posted by the activists show the group, clad in yellow jumpsuits, gloves and hard hats, cutting into the metal sheet roof as sparks fly.
The campaigners also spray-painted the words ‘Intifada Revolution’ on the building and put up a poster reading ‘Free Palestine’, alongside a Palestinian flag.
They also wrote the words ‘Shut Elbit Down’ alongside a red upside down triangle – a symbol widely used in Hamas propaganda videos to denote Israeli military targets.
One female activist can be heard saying the action coincided with the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising, by Irish nationalists against British rule.
She continues: ‘We are f****** sick and tired of our government’s collaboration in this genocide that Israel is committing against the Palestinian people.
‘We are tired of them waiting to uphold international law.’
The campaigners can also be seen abseiling into the building and smashing equipment within the factory while hanging from the ropes.
The internal pipework and equipment had also been sprayed with red paint.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police previously said: ‘A proactive policing response is in place and officers remain at the scene.
‘We also continue to engage with those directly impacted by this report.
‘Police continue to support the right to peacefully protest but we will also continue to take immediate action where reports of anyone seeking to commit crime or damage to property are made.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 65 of April 24.
