Supporting the Filton24 is at the heart of the battle to expose Britain’s complicity in genocide and the Zionist occupation of Palestine.
In August 2024, a group of six Palestine Action activists broke into the newly built, secret site of Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest weapons producer. The site in Filton, Bristol, had been marketed as a ‘research and development ‘ site, yet the activists managed to bypass the high security and uncover the masses of weapons that were being developed and stored in this undercover warehouse. During their action, they dismantled and destroyed a shipment of killer quadcopter drones that Israel uses in Gaza.
Quadcopters are used for bombings but are also known as sniper-drones, which are activated after bombings to annihilate remaining survivors by detecting living pulses. Similarly, quadcopters have been used to play recordings which mimic the sounds of crying children after an attack, to lure out survivors and then kill them. The activists carried out this direct action to save Palestinian lives.
A further 18 people were arrested in connection with this action. The arrests were carried out by counter terrorism forces, some of them armed, with up to 30 officers swarming into family homes in violent dawn raids. This was an exercise the Counter-Terrorism police called Operation Recomply.
Each of the 24 were kept incommunicado in specialist police units for up to a week, experienced sleep deprivation and multiple interrogations per day, before being remanded into prison. They were not charged with terrorist offences; all 24 were charged with aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder. One defendant, Samuel Corner, had one extra charge of GBH.
The 24, though legally innocent, were held as terrorist prisoners, under oppressive and sometimes cruel conditions, some for up to 18 months before ever being tried. Due to the fact there are 24 defendants, they were split into four trials. In February 2025, the first 6 defendants were found not guilty of the most serious charge, aggravated burglary. Three were also found not guilty of violent disorder, and the jury could not reach a verdict on the remaining charges. This led to the release of 23 of the prisoners, who are now kept on electronic tag, with strict bail conditions and curfew. Samuel Corner remains imprisoned, for over 600 days and counting, despite also receiving no convictions. All 24 will still face trial (including the first 6, who are being taken to retrial April 13th.
The Filton24 case has been an important test for British democracy, to see how far the government, lobby groups, CPS, and the judiciary will go; rolling out a novel use of terrorism legislation against protesters, in order to protect Israeli military business in Britain, over and above the civil liberties of its own citizens. Most specifically, to protect the business of Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer.
What else do you need to know?
- On 4th February 2026 the first six were acquitted of aggravated burglary and the jury failed to convict on all other charges: The mainstream media presented a one sided view of the case which wasn’t what the jury saw. The first time all the evidence was seen by impartial, ordinary people who don’t support genocide, the Filton24 won. You can read more about what actually happened at the trial here: notes on Real Media
- Each of the Filton24 faced violent dawn raids at their homes and their loved ones’ homes. The raids were coordinated by counter terrorism police and in some cases were armed, and used chainsaws to tear through doors. Some of the Filton24 were violated and stripped naked, minors were handcuffed and detained in the cold. The raids lasted for up to 3 days but families were threatened with temporary eviction for up to 2 weeks.
- The use of Joint enterprise: all 24 defendants have been charged with the same offences despite the role they are alleged to have played. Joint enterprise is a legal principle which has been used against young Black men to arbitrarily criminalise them, purely by association. By the use of this power, it enables the state to criminalise people for a crime they were not involved in, merely due to their proximity to the crime. This power has been used against the Filton24 to charge them all with the same offences. Since the first 6 who went inside the factory were found not guilty of aggravated burglary, it meant the prosecution were forced to enter not guilty verdicts for the remaining 18 defendants, thus removing the most serious charge and resulting in their immediate release from prison after 18 and 15 months.
- The case of the Filton24 is the first time Britain has attempted to equate property damage with terrorism, setting a dangerous precedent, which was later used to justify proscribing Palestine Action. Despite there being one isolated allegation of physical confrontation, that is not the reason that proscription was used. Out of hundreds of actions taking place over a five-year period, this was the first action that resulted in the use of terrorism legislation being leveraged against activists taking direct action. The United Nations analysis was that the original ten being held unlawfully incommunicado by the state possibly amounted to enforced disappearance. This was established in a letter that the UN sent to the UK Government condemning the “unjustified use” of UK counter terror laws against the Filton24.
- Although conditions in UK prisons are already horrific, being held as a high profile TACT (Terrorism Act) prisoner on remand meant another level of oppression and surveillance was applied. This included the banning of books, emails, mail from friends and family on a regular basis with some prisoners not receiving anything for months. Severe limits on what jobs the prisoners could do and in some cases no jobs at all meaning they were locked up for 23 hours a day. Several prisons also enacted ‘Non Association Orders’ (NAO) which meant keeping Filton24 prisoners apart even if it severely impacted on their well-being. For example cancelling of visits if too many co-defendants booked visits at the same time. Other examples included staff spreading misinformation about the prisoners calling them terrorists to put them at risk from violence from other prisoners, staff threatening other prisoners with 14 years imprisonment for showing solidarity with Palestine, room raids, strip searches, adding additional restrictions at random times, filming prisoners for no obvious reason, blocking vital healthcare due to ‘security’ reasons, taking items such as knitted scarves for appearing to have the colours of the Palestinian flag, and the banning of kuffiyahs. This showed a systematic attempt by the prison service to exceptionalise, isolate and ‘re-comply’ the prisoners before even being convicted of any crime.
- The state used counter terrorism powers for the first time against activists in order to justify their extended remand in prison beyond the 6 month legal limit. The Filton24 case has illuminated the arbitrary and political function of terrorism powers, being used to stifle dissent and in an attempt to smear activists who took action to stop genocide. Such powers were introduced against the Irish as emergency powers and then enshrined into law in 2000, before being used against another suspect community, the Muslim community; now it is being used against those who support Palestine in opposition to the government’s position of aiding and abetting genocide. There are a series of injustices in the Filton24 case which you can read about here, and a litany of political interference which is covered below.
- Samuel Corner is legally in the exact same position as his co-defendants; he too has zero convictions yet he remains in prison as the sole defendant whom Judge Johnson refused to grant bail. Since the first arrests, the CPS (with the support of the BBC) insinuated their prosecutorial overreach was justified because of the alleged violence at the Filton site. Their propaganda has focused on Samuel Corner’s incident with PC Evans, however, a jury could not convict him when they returned a hung verdict in February 2026. What is clearly demonstrated in the political interference, is that the prosecutorial overreach and implementation of counter terrorism powers was purely down to property damage. Keeping Samuel imprisoned when all other defendants have been granted bail is an attempt by the courts to cling to their violence narrative when their case is so rapidly falling apart.
- The state continues to attempt using the Filton24 to justify the proscription of Palestine Action – designating it as a terrorist organisation – a move which has led to mass arrests of thousands of people across Britain who have taken part in protests against the proscription.
- In December 2025, activists linked to Filton24 and BrizeNorton5 joined an open-ended hunger strike demanding an end to Elbit Systems UK; unconditional bail for all Prisoners for Palestine; right to a fair trial including disclosure of all foreign and political interference documents; deproscription of Palestine Action and an immediate end to prison censorship. For more information on this see prisonersforpalestine.org
Meet the Filton 24
Charlotte Head
Served 547 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Charlotte, or Lottie, Head is an activist and writer, originally from the West Midlands. Before her arrest, she was working as a domestic abuse caseworker in London. She’s an obsessive bookworm, who found solace in reading and creative writing during her 18 month period on remand in prison. A queer autistic vegan, she proudly fits many of the stereotypes ascribed to those on the Left and hopes to continue grassroots activism and human rights work in the future.
Samuel Corner
Still in custody without being convicted of anything. As of 29th March 2026, 600 days and counting…
Samuel was arrested inside Elbit’s Filton site August 6th 2024. He was moved to action by the targeted violence against Palestinians for the duration of Zionist colony’s genocide and occupation. He is deeply missed by his comrades and his community, and respected for his unwavering commitment to liberation and defeating injustice. He has a degree in philosophy and linguistics, subjects which he remains passionate about, from the University of Oxford where he was also involved in student organizing. The Oxford encampment and then the wider movement for Palestine in Britain inspired him to further develop himself politically, and connected him with grassroots movements. Sam misses being outdoors, and spending time with his friends. He can’t wait to be with his partner, who he speaks to everyday and who gives him so much strength.
“This is what the British state does when you act on your moral duty to resist settler colonialism”
Leona Kamio
Served 547 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Leona was arrested inside Elbit’s Filton site August 6th 2024. She is a musician, regenerative farmer, and forest school nursery teacher from Wales. Motivated by her love for all living things, she is committed to compassion and equity, reflected in her teaching and in her community work as co-founder of Baesianz Adventure Club.
“My heart is forever with the Palestinian people; my head is held high and my crowbar is in some Israeli apartheid weapon.”
Fatema Zainab Rajwani
Served 547 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Fatema was arrested 6th August 2024, inside Elbit’s weapons hub. Ray is proud of their Indian heritage and East African roots. Fatema Zainab is a film student and a poet, and her writing is an attempt to mediate between the existence that we are witnessing and the beautiful world we have the capacity to rebuild together.
“We reject the business of imperialist murder that Britain profits from. The slaughter of Black and Brown bodies that the British arms trade facilitates must end. Long live Palestine.”
Zoë Rogers
Served 547 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Zoë was arrested at the age of 21 inside Elbit’s Filton weapons hub on August 6th 2024. She was about to start her first year of a degree in Interdisciplinary studies in London. She is an avid reader and read over 120 books in prison. Her driving force is a desire for justice for everyone around the world. She is loved by her family and friends.
“I am honoured to be imprisoned in solidarity with thousands of Palestinian political prisoners.”
Jordan Devlin
Served 547 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Jordan is very proud of his Irish roots, growing up in the north of Ireland we were called terrorists and labelled a ‘suspect community’ for protesting an occupied Ireland. Now Jordan is being called a terrorist for protesting an
occupied Palestine. Jordan is a passionate musician and sculptor. His home is decorated with beautiful paintings and sculptures he has made. Unfortunately he lost his home due to imprisonment. Any of his friends will agree what a truly beautiful human being he is, a positive addition to all our lives through his kindness, sensitivity, sense of humour and love for our planet.
“I am taking action against Elbit, because the risk of months in prison pales in comparison to the despair suffered from witnessing the horrors they facilitate. The sense of wrong and right is black and white, in this instance, so I am honoured to take this opportunity in crafting a world I want to live in, to destroy completely the blatant evils in society we’ve all been lulled into ignoring.”
Madeleine Norman
Served 554 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Maddy (they/them) is an artist and activist from Manchester. They are vegan and love animals, especially their two rescue sphynx cats called Nina and Sylvie. Prior to their arrest and imprisonment as part of the Filton 24, they were studying art in Edinburgh. They are interested in and organise for Palestinian liberation, prison, border and police abolition, and animal liberation. They have taken direct action against Israel’s Elbit Systems a number of times over the last few years. In 2022 they ‘locked on’ in front of the gates of Elbit’s drone engine factory in Shenstone, shutting down the Israeli weapons maker, whilst displaying a banner which read “Free Ahmed Manasra“, a recently liberated Palestinian prisoner who had been kidnapped at the age of 13. In January 2023, Maddy scaled the roof of Leonardo’s Edinburgh factory, causing extensive damage to the producers of laser targeting systems for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets.
Hannah Davidson
Served 569 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Hannah lives Scotland, and prior to her imprisonment she campaigned tirelessly for the liberation of Palestine. Hannah has spent much of her life working with horses, and feels a deep connection to the natural world around her. A talented artist, Hannah passes her time in prison by creating beautiful, surreal and sometimes satirical artworks.
In June 2024, Hannah broke into Kent’s Israeli weapons factory which was situated in a ‘highly secure’ compound. Once inside the Elbit arms plant, she, and others, caused over £1million in damages to machinery and weaponry.
She was remanded, after being detained without charge, on allegations of being connected to the Filton action, which saw over £1million in damage caused to Elbit’s research centre for Israeli weapons. She is one of the Instro 10 and Filton 24.
Ian Sanders
Served 557 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Ian is a computer buff, builds his own and fixes others. He’s a Buddhist who likes being in nature, walking and helping his mum on her allotment. Loves reading and was in 2 book clubs in prison. Very interested in politics, world news and human rights. Makes a really good pasta dish!
Ian took action against Leicester’s Israeli weapons factory, UAV Tactical Systems on May 8th 2024, by driving a van into the building, whilst others scaled the roof, and destroyed Elbit’s drones inside. He was arrested on the August 2024, in the third wave of Filton arrests, and remanded in custody. He is one of the Leicester 6 and Filton 24.
William Plastow
Served 558 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Will is a British scriptwriter and editor. Educated at the University of Cambridge. He enjoys reading, poetry and writing. He is the grandson of anti-colonial activist, political theorist and the first Prime Minister of Independent Tanzania, Julius Nyerere.
During the ongoing Gaza Genocide, William drove a car into the bollards in front of Elbit’s Leicester weapons factory, and locked his neck to the steering wheel to prevent the Israeli drone maker from opening.
Several months later, he was unjustly detained, without charge, for a week, and repeatedly interrogated about alleged involvement in an action against Elbit’s new research and development hub in Filton, Bristol – before being remanded into prison making him one of the #Filton24.
T
Served 458 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
T, a graduate of English Literature from King’s College, London. She was arrested in the raids against Palestine activists on 19th November 2024, and held on remand for 15 months.
T previously blockaded the entrance of Elbit’s Bristol HQ, forcing the Israeli weapons maker to close, and soon after, she also disrupted Elbit-investor BNY Mellon’s office in Manchester. She went on two hunger strikes in prison lasting a combined total of 3 months.
“I’m proud to be part of a movement who love the Palestinian people, and support their right to resist with such sincerity that risks are happily taken.”
Aleksandra Herbich
Served 456 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Aleks is a musician and community organiser from London with Polish roots. Known as a relentless ball of energy, positivity and enthusiasm who inspires everyone she meets, Aleks has been active in DIY hardcore punk music networks for twenty years, where she has been dedicated to building community, creating opportunities for young bands worldwide through
her one-woman record label, organising festivals and touring internationally as a guitarist and singer in her own projects. She is deeply committed to justice and equity, principles which she has continued to practice to this day.
Aleks took action against Leicester’s Israeli weapons factory, UAV Tactical Systems on May 8th 2024, scaling the roof and destroying Elbit’s drones inside alongside 5 other actionists. Aleks was arrested on the 19th November 2024, in the third wave of Filton arrests, and remanded in custody. She is one of the Leicester 6 and Filton 24.
Yulia Brigadirova
Served 458 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Yulia, from Manchester, was arrested on the 19th November 2024, in the third wave of Filton arrests, and remanded in custody.
For everything that Yulia cares about, she gives her all. When she is home, she is regularly raising money for Trans Mutual Aid Manchester by making bracelets, and proactively supporting fellow renters and workers in our precarious world. She loves her closest ones fiercely and will go to any length to protect them.
She cares about all animals, and would never kill a spider. She likes to read, from Terry Pratchett to Shon Faye. She gets a glint in her eyes when, in her trademark furry hat, she wanders through the snow that she grew up with. In the spring she takes joy in the blossom trees and the daffodils
Sean Middlebrough
Served 335 days in prison before being granted temporary bail. He then never returned to prison.
Sean, from Liverpool, was arrested on the 19th November 2024, in the third wave of Filton arrests, and remanded in custody. A seasoned activist, he took action, in January 2022, to occupy the roof, and dismantle the drone factory at Shenstone, and was wrongly arrested in relation to an action in Newcastle, and an alleged conspiracy to shut down the London Stock Exchange. In the second case, charges were dropped, but only after Sean had already spent time locked-up on remand.
You can hear many of his thoughts, perspectives and interests through listening to either of his podcasts. Revolutionary Lumpen Radio, started over 6 years ago, offers a range of political discussions, whilst Diary of Political Prisoner was created from within Sean’s prison cell to share the absurdity of prison life with you.
Qesser Zuhrah
Served 458 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Qesser was raided at dawn 19th November 2024 when she was just 19 years old. She is an undergrad UCL social science student who loves history, politics and is unwavering in her commitment to global liberation. Qesser enjoys reading and writing poetry, political analysis and historical books such as One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El-Akkad, Perfect Victims by Mohammed El-Kurd, I Saw Ramallah and Greater than The Sum of Our Parts by Nada Elia. She also has a great sense of humor!
Whilst in prison Qesser went on hunger strike for 48 days which ended in victory for the hunger strikers.
Heba Muraisi
Served 458 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Heba was taken into custody on November 19th 2024, and initially held, and interrogated under ‘anti-terror’ legislation, before being remanded in custody for a non-terrorism related offence.
Heba is a young Yemeni woman from London. Resistance and solidarity are in her blood; her grandfather was a freedom fighter in Yemen. Heba also has family in Gaza who she hasn’t heard from since December 2023 when they were making the journey to Rafah. Before being ripped away from her community and unjustly imprisoned, Heba cared for her disabled mother, and she continued to support her from prison.
Whilst in prison Heba went on hunger strike for 73 days, the longest in UK history, which ended in victory for the hunger strikers.
Zahra Farooque
Served 458 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Zahra graduated with a degree in History from UCL in 2021. She later took part in the UCL student encampment and was enrolled on a law conversion course prior to her arrest.
She spent 15 months on remand, initially at HMP Bronzefield and later at HMP Eastwood Park. An avid reader, Zahra remains deeply committed to campaigning for social justice.
Kamran Ahmed
Served 458 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
A beloved son, brother and carer, Kamran, a quiet young man from East London, was held on remand at HMP Pentonville as a political prisoner for his support of Palestine. Before his unjust arrest and imprisonment, Kamran was the sole carer for his elderly and frail parents who struggled daily without his support. Their lives were turned upside down, and they missed their son dearly. Kamran was not only a devoted son but also a pillar of his local community. As the neighbourhood mechanic, he helped friends, family, and even strangers with their vehicles, only accepting very little payment for his time. His generosity, humility, and willingness to help others made him loved and respected by all who knew him. His absence has left a deep void in both his family and his wider community.
Whilst in prison Kamran went on hunger strike for 65 days which ended in victory for the hunger strikers.
Moiz Ibrahim
Served 222 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Moiz is a young Sudanese man from London, proud to be a political prisoner for Palestine. Prior to his unjust imprisonment, Moiz was a hard-working university student studying towards his degree in International Relations. He is loved deeply by his many communities in London due to his care for, and commitment towards, global justice and liberation.
Liam Mullany
Served 222 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Liam Is a musician and economist. Faced with successive failing governments, they left their long time role advising on state welfare and housing policy to focus on community building.
Before they were imprisoned they were supporting communities to collectively organise the systems that sustain them—food, power, housing—and channel the same politics into their post-punk band Third Arrow.
Liam says the hardest part of prison was receiving messages from friends who relied on them for emotional support, only to discover those messages had been delayed for weeks.
Louis Adams
Served 222 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Before being arrested Louie was a data manager for a botanic garden. He loves animals and nature and spends lots of time with his many rescued pets. He reads a lot, mainly politics, science and history and has recently taken up painting as a hobby.
Salaam Mahmood
Served 222 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Salaam is a young man from London. Prior to being imprisoned, Salaam was the primary carer for his disabled mother who depended on his support heavily. Salaam had just finished his first year at university and had high hopes for his future in computer science and engineering.
Finn Collins
Served 222 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Finn is 20 years old, originally from Scotland but living in London, where he works as a fashion model. Finn was much-missed by his family and his extended family of friends and comrades at anti-fascist football club Clapton Community FC.
Harland Archer
Served 222 days in prison without being convicted of anything.
Harley was going to study fashion at Central St.Martins before her arrest. She loves make up and clothes and cats. She was a volunteer at the cat cafe in Herne Bay looking after rescued cats and kittens.