Five Palestine Action activists in the United Kingdom are awaiting a court determination on whether terrorism-related sentencing enhancements will apply to their convictions. Brendon O’Hagan, Amanda Kelly, Hmeera Atiqnisar, Mohammed Malik, and Alma Yaniv were found guilty of causing approximately 212,000 pounds in damages during a direct action against a Barclays Bank location in Burnley, Lancashire in August 2024. The group targeted the financial institution to protest its shareholdings in Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence company.
On Friday, Preston Crown Court was expected to rule on whether terrorism sentencing provisions would be applied, with formal sentencing scheduled for September 4. Trial Judge Philip Parry indicated his intention to consider whether the offence carried a terrorist connection following the verdicts. This move occurred after a similar application in an earlier case involving four Palestine Action activists convicted of criminal damage at an Elbit Systems facility near Bristol, who were subsequently sentenced under terrorism provisions nearly two years after their conviction.
Criminal lawyer Raj Chada noted that while terrorist connection laws have existed for years, their recent application appears to target Palestine Action members exclusively and relates to offences that preceded the group’s proscription as a terrorist organization in July 2025. Neither the defendants nor the jury were informed during trial that terrorism sentencing could be considered. Chada characterized the application as highly irregular, stating it represents an unusual use of law targeting the offence rather than the individuals.
Judge Robert Altham, who will determine whether to apply terrorist connection sentencing, faced criticism from supporters. The Court of Appeal previously found Altham’s 2018 sentencing of environmental protesters to be manifestly excessive. Palestine Action cofounder Huda Ammori characterized his involvement as concerning.
Defend our Juries reported that over 3,500 individuals, many older than 60, were arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action following its proscription, with numerous arrests stemming from demonstrations in Parliament Square. Supporters gathered outside the courthouse expressing opposition to terrorism sentencing for what they characterized as protest activity, with one defendant’s mother voicing pride in her son’s activism supporting Palestinians.
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