Our incredible victory on 4 February at the end of the first Filton 24 trial saw acquittals of aggravated burglary and three charges of violent disorder, not a single conviction on any other charge, and five activists out of six being granted bail. Since then, and as a direct result of a jury refusing to buy into the state and prosecution’s false narratives about our loved ones’ actions, the last two weeks have seen further massive victories for the Filton 24 campaign. The remaining 18 were also found NOT GUILTY of aggravated burglary, and 22 out of 24 were finally released from prison on bail after periods between 7 and 18 months spent in prison, far beyond usual custody time limits.
Wednesday 18th February – 5 granted bail!
On Wednesday 18th, at a court hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, the prosecution ‘offered no evidence’ against the 18 others accused of aggravated burglary on joint enterprise after the first 6 were acquitted, meaning that they were found not guilty. As CAGE International write,
The charge that once justified extraordinary remand decisions and heightened rhetoric has collapsed entirely.
The prosecution’s unevidenced and ridiculous claim that our loved ones were intending to act violently towards other people has been completely undermined.
Following this, Judge Johnson heard a number of bail applications. While the prosecution continued to object to these applications, the judge granted bail to all who applied: Aleks, Will, Ian, Maddy, and Yulia (who had a further hearing for another case before she could be released). With the same strict curfews and restrictions on phone and internet usage that the first five have been subject to, four more of our loved ones were free.
Will, Maddy and Ian had all spent 18 months in prison without trial, while Aleks had spent 15. There were celebrations at HMPs Peterborough, Low Newton and Wandsworth welcoming our loved ones to freedom.
Friday 20th February – bail for 11 more!
Further jubilation followed on Friday as bail applications were heard for the remaining 11, and ALL were successful. Yulia also had her second bail hearing, which was also successful and meant she could be released.
Kamran, Zahra, Qesser, T, Heba, and Yulia spent 15 months in prison without trial. Salaam, Finn, Harley, Moiz, Louie and one other who wishes to remain anonymous spent 7. Again, over the course of the day, our loved ones were welcomed home from HMPs Bronzefield, Styal, Pentonville, Peterborough, New Hall, Chelmsford, Eastwood Park, and Elmley.
Friday 27th February – Hannah is freed too!
Finally, after a week of waiting for a second bail hearing for a separate case, Hannah was also released on bail. Hannah had spent 18 months in prison and was finally welcomed home from HMP Peterborough, meaning 23 of our 24 loved ones are finally free.
What’s next
Sam Corner is still being held on remand in HMP Belmarsh, even though he too was acquitted of aggravated burglary and was not convicted of grievous bodily harm. We demand Sam’s freedom too. Like his codefendants in the first trial group, he was not found guilty of any crime, and should be released on bail immediately.
Unlike the first trial group who were consistently failed by the prisons and Serco who were supposed to transport and feed them, our loved ones will now have the freedom to arrive at court on time, well-rested and well-fed. Even with horrific conditions inside prison vans, regular failure to provide food and time to shower, and disproportionate security measures before and after trial days, the first 6 proved that ordinary people recognise the innocence of our loved ones and that it is Elbit who are the guilty party!
These victories also means further decisions are to be made regarding trial groupings and dates for the 18 still to be tried for violent disorder and criminal damage.
Keep an eye on our website, Instagram and mailing list for further information about trial and hearing dates, mobilising to support our loved ones as they continue to prove their integrity, morality and bravery in court, and our continued fight for freedom for Sam. While we celebrate these huge victories, our fight for all of our loved ones to be home and free where they belong and to prove their innocence continues.