Eight activists from Palestine Action pleaded not guilty at Folkestone Magistrates Court on July 10 to charges of locking on and interfering with key national infrastructure.
The action, which took place on March 26th, saw the eight, who have dubbed themselves the instro8, blockade all entrances in and out of Elbit Systems UK subsidiary, Instro Precision, at Discovery Park in Sandwich.
The case has now been split into two: All eight face charges of locking on under section 1 of the Public Order Act 2023, but the four who are also charged with interfering with key national infrastructure under the same act will face a separate trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
The Instro8 say they took action days after Israel launched an operation – employing target acquisition equipment – against Al-Shifa hospital.
The Instro site, on Artillery Way in the Discovery Park estate, is owned by Elbit Systems, which provides a range of weaponry, including military drone fleet and land-based equipment.
It also manufactures XACT nv33 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for the British Army as part of a contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence to the company in 2021.
Interfering with key national infrastructure is part of the new Public Order Act 2023. The offence wasn’t yet available in the computer system when activists were being charged at the police station. This is the first charge of its kind to be used against Palestine Action.
There will be a plea hearing on 12th August at Canterbury Crown Court and a case management hearing on 5th September at Folkestone Magistrates Court.
Commenting is switched off as the judicial process is live
