Five Palestine Action activists, dubbed the Barclays five, will not be sentenced as terrorists, a judge has ruled. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Brendon O’Hagan, 28; Amanda Kelly, 31; Hmeera Atiqnisar, 31; Mohammed Malik, 28; and Alma Yaniv, 70, were all found guilty in June of causing damage exceeding £200,000, after breaking windows and throwing red paint at a branch of Barclays Bank in Lancashire in August 2024.
The group targeted the site in protest at Barclays because it held shares in the Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems. They have said that they did not realise that their cases would be considered as terrorism until after they were found guilty.
The jury that found them guilty of criminal charges were also unaware that such a consideration was a possibility.
After the five activists were found guilty in June, the judge, Philip Parry, told the prosecution and the defence he intended to consider a “terrorist connection” to the offending. It is understood this was a result of new information coming to light during the trial.
It was reported in October 2024 that Barclays had sold all its Elbit shares. The bank had previously said it held them only in relation to client-driven transactions, being neither an investor nor shareholder in the arms company.
Case background
The attack on the Barclays branch in Burnley took place in August 2024. Activists broke windows, threw red paint, and entered the building. For these actions, they faced criminal charges, and a verdict was reached in June.
During the trial, Judge Parry suggested considering a possible terrorist connection. However, it has now been decided that the five activists will not be sentenced as terrorists.
Barclays' ties to Elbit Systems
Barclays held shares in the Israeli weapons company Elbit Systems. These shares were related to client-driven transactions. The bank stated it was neither an investor nor a shareholder in the arms company.
The Palestine Action group accused Barclays of financially supporting Israeli military actions. They demanded the bank sever ties with Elbit Systems.
In October 2024, it was reported that Barclays had sold all its Elbit shares. This followed protests by Palestine Action.
Activists' response
Activists linked their actions to defending human rights in Gaza. They demanded Barclays stop financial support for the Israeli army.
During the trial, they said they did not know their case could be considered terrorism. The jury was also unaware of this possibility.
Judge Parry's decision means the five activists will not be sentenced as terrorists. This could mitigate their punishment.
Public opinion
The case has caused significant resonance in the UK. Some politicians and public figures support Palestine Action's actions, while others consider them illegal.
The court decision pleased supporters of the activists. They called it just.
Conclusion
The 'Barclays five' will not be sentenced as terrorists. This decision could mitigate their punishment. The activists protested against Barclays' ties to the Israeli weapons company. Their actions caused damage exceeding £200,000.