Why are Palestine Action activists in prison? Four members of Palestine Action — Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani — were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court on 5 May 2026 of criminal damage and related offences following a raid on an Elbit Systems UK facility in Filton, Bristol, in August 2024. They have been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 12 June 2026, with some having already spent more than 18 months in prison on remand.

Who Are the Palestine Action Activists?

Palestine Action is a UK-based direct action group that campaigns against Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence company with manufacturing facilities in England. The group became known for a series of sit-ins, rooftop protests, and direct action campaigns at Elbit premises across the UK since its formation in 2020.

The four convicted activists are Charlotte Head, 30; Samuel Corner, 23; Leona Kamio, 30; and Fatema Zainab Rajwani, 21. They were among six defendants to stand trial at Woolwich Crown Court in London. Two other defendants, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, were found not guilty and walked free.

The Elbit Systems Raid (2024)

In August 2024, a group of activists entered the Elbit Systems UK facility in Filton, Bristol, causing approximately one million pounds of damage to the premises. Prosecutors described the raid as an organised and deliberate attack on a lawfully operating business. Samuel Corner was alleged to have struck a police officer with a sledgehammer during the incident, for which he was additionally convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The defendants argued during the trial that their actions were a response to what they described as complicity in alleged war crimes in Gaza. However, the jury found them guilty on the criminal damage charges. Corner was also found guilty of GBH on the police officer.

Palestine Action’s Terrorism Designation

In July 2025, the UK government proscribed Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000, designating it a terrorist organisation. Membership of or support for the group became punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the proscription. The designation was controversial, with civil liberties organisations and some Members of Parliament arguing that the group’s activities — while criminal — did not meet the legal threshold for terrorism.

A High Court ruling in February 2026 found the original proscription unlawful, but the government appealed that decision and the designation remained in place at the time of the trial. The legal status of the group formed part of the broader context in which the four activists were tried and convicted.

Trial and Verdict (2026)

The trial was heard at Woolwich Crown Court, which regularly handles serious and terrorism-related cases. The jury returned its verdicts on 5 May 2026. Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani were all found guilty of criminal damage. Corner received an additional guilty verdict for inflicting grievous bodily harm on a police officer during the raid.

The two remaining defendants — Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin — were acquitted on all charges. Following the verdict, all four convicted activists were remanded in custody to await sentencing, with the judge declining to grant bail given the seriousness of the convictions.

Remand and Upcoming Sentencing

The four convicted activists are currently held in prison on remand ahead of their sentencing hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on 12 June 2026. The time already served on remand will be taken into account when the judge determines the final custodial term. At the time of conviction, Head, Kamio, and Rajwani had each already served approximately 18 months on remand; Corner had served approximately 21 months.

Legal commentators have noted that depending on the sentences imposed, some of the activists may be close to release given the lengthy pre-trial detention they have already served. If you need information about visiting someone currently held on remand in a UK prison, our guide on booking a prison visit covers the full process. You can also find out how to go about sending money to someone on remand in the UK prison system.

For families navigating the prison system for the first time, our Parole Board UK guide explains how release decisions are made for those serving custodial sentences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Palestine Action activists in prison?

Four Palestine Action activists — Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani — are in prison on remand after being convicted at Woolwich Crown Court on 5 May 2026 of criminal damage during a raid on an Elbit Systems UK facility in Bristol in August 2024. Samuel Corner was also convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a police officer during the raid.

When will the Palestine Action activists be sentenced?

The four convicted Palestine Action activists are due to be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on 12 June 2026. They are currently held on remand in prison pending that hearing. Charlotte Head, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani had already served approximately 18 months on remand before conviction; Samuel Corner had served approximately 21 months.

Is Palestine Action a terrorist organisation in the UK?

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK government in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act 2000. A High Court ruled the original proscription unlawful in February 2026, but the government appealed and the designation remained in place at the time of the trial. Membership of or support for a proscribed group can carry a custodial sentence of up to 14 years.

What damage did Palestine Action cause at Elbit Systems?

The Palestine Action raid on the Elbit Systems UK facility in Filton, Bristol in August 2024 caused approximately one million pounds of damage to the premises. The group targeted the site in protest against Elbit Systems manufacturing defence equipment used by the Israeli military. Samuel Corner allegedly struck a police officer with a sledgehammer during the raid, resulting in a GBH conviction.

How long have the Palestine Action activists been in prison?

At the time of their conviction in May 2026, Charlotte Head, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani had each served approximately 18 months in prison on remand. Samuel Corner had served approximately 21 months on remand before conviction. This pre-trial detention counts towards any custodial sentence imposed at their sentencing hearing on 12 June 2026.