Five people charged by counter-terrorism police over alleged break-in during protest

Five people have been charged after an investigation by counter terrorism police, including two from Kent.

Finn Collins, 20, of Syndem Street, Whitstable, and Harland Archer, 20, of Bayview Road, Whitstable, are part of the group charged with counts of aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder.

It follows an incident in which members of Palestine Action reportedly used a vehicle to gain entrance to the Elbit Systems UK site in Bristol shortly before 4am on August 6 last year.

Extensive damage to the building was caused, and employees of the company and attending police officers were seriously assaulted.

Earlier this month, MPs voted to amend legislation to proscribe the group as a terrorist organisation, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper saying it had a “long history” of criminal damage.

Also charged are London trio Salaam Mahmood, 19, of Southmere Drive, Moiz Ibrahim, 27, of Kilburn Lane and Louie Adams, 33, of Crouch Hall Road.

A 66-year-old man from Bristol has been released without charge.

This follows a series of warrants which were carried out on Tuesday (July 15), in which arrests were made.

The charges come following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, who will be submitting to the court that these offences have a terrorist connection.

The five were refused bail and are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later today.

The government proscribed Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act of 2000, meaning membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence. This came into force on July 5.