Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio and Fatema Zainab Rajwani were convicted of criminal damage “with a terrorist connection” over the August 2024 action at an Elbit Systems facility in Filton, near Bristol, according to supporters who announced the appeal in London, Al Jazeera reported.
The sentencing marked what supporters described as the first time property damage had been categorised as terrorism in a British court.
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Head and Kamio were each sentenced to five years in prison, while Corner received seven years and eight months after also being convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent for striking a police officer during the raid. Rajwani, the youngest of the four at 21, was sentenced to four years and eight months.
The appeal argues that the convictions breached Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which concerns punishment under law, because Palestine Action was not a proscribed organisation when the incident took place.
The appeal also argues that the sentences were excessive and breached principles of natural justice and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to a fair trial.
The activists were among a group known as the “Filton 24”, who said they were targeting quadcopter drones produced by Elbit Systems during the raid. Palestine Action has said its campaign seeks to disrupt the supply of military equipment to Israel.
At the time of the raid, Palestine Action had not been formally designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK government.
That changed in June 2025, when the British government proscribed the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Membership of the organisation or expressions of support for it subsequently became criminal offences.
The government decision has faced opposition from civil liberties groups and UN experts, who have criticised the use of terrorism legislation against the organisation and its supporters.
More than 2,700 people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 in protests linked to the ban, according to the report.
The appeal has also drawn attention to the long-term consequences of terrorism-related convictions. Supporters said the four would face notification requirements for 15 years after their release, including obligations to provide police with information about certain changes in their circumstances.
Emma Kamio, the mother of Leona Kamio, said she was concerned that her daughter could face difficulties returning to work with children after her release because of enhanced background checks. Kamio had previously worked at a nursery providing outdoor, nature-based activities, her mother said.
Sukaina Rajwani, the mother of Fatema Zainab Rajwani, said she was proud of her daughter despite the prospect of a lengthy legal battle.
“She may be embroiled in this struggle for her freedom for another 20 years,” she said.
Shahd Hammouri, a lecturer in international law at the University of Kent, said at the London press conference that the ruling could have implications beyond the four defendants.
She argued that it could establish a precedent affecting people involved in protests over alleged violations of international law.
The activists’ supporters maintain that the case should be viewed in the context of the war in Gaza and the group’s campaign against companies it says supply military equipment to Israel.
James Smith, a doctor who recently returned from Gaza after providing medical care, also attended the press conference in support of the activists. He said direct action should be considered alongside the difficulties faced by medical workers responding to injuries caused by weapons used in the conflict.
Meanwhile, the legal dispute has extended beyond the four activists. Rajiv Menon KC, a lawyer who represented Head, faces contempt proceedings after Justice Jeremy Johnson accused him of contempt following comments he made during the case. Senior lawyers have criticised the proceedings.
Menon had referred to Elbit Systems as being “wined and dined in the corridors of power” and reminded jurors of their ability to acquit based on conscience.
Head later described the sentencing in a letter from prison as politically motivated, a claim that has not been established by the court.
No date has yet been set for the appeal hearing. Lawyer Simon Natas said he expected proceedings to begin in the coming months.
