Court hears Palestine Action members threatened guards during factory raid

Five people accused of taking part in a break-in at an Israel-linked arms factory near Bristol used whips, hammers, fireworks and large skewers to threaten security guards, prosecutors have told a court. Qesser Zuhrah, Zahra Farooque, Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi and Liam Mullany are on trial at Woolwich Crown Court. They face charges of criminal damage and violent disorder over the raid at Elbit Systems’ factory in Filton on 6 August 2024.

All five deny the allegations. Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said the defendants were part of a group wearing black jumpsuits. She described that group as a “black team” whose role was to overwhelm guards while a second group, wearing red, entered the factory and damaged equipment.

The court heard that a plan recovered by police identified the destruction of the factory as the primary objective. Heer said the black team threatened, intimidated and, when necessary, assaulted security staff to allow the others to enter. A security guard, Nigel Shaw, was said to have struck one member of the group across the legs with an umbrella.

Prosecutors allege that other members then attacked Shaw, leaving him with a 4cm cut to his head and forcing him to release the detained person. The alleged operation began at about 3.30am when a prison van, driven by a member of the red team, crashed through the first perimeter fence. The black team followed on foot, shouting slogans including “Free Palestine”, before the van passed through a second fence.

Prosecutors said the red team used fire extinguishers filled with red paint, crowbars and sledgehammers to damage walls, floors, computer equipment and drones. A disabled toilet was also allegedly damaged. Heer said the black team members had covered their faces and were described in the plan as “coverts”, reflecting an intention to escape without being caught.

The trial is continuing, and the allegations have not been tested by the defence.