10 months ago, on 18 January 2009, Elijah Smith A former British Soldier was arrested in Brighton. He had spent the previous night decommissioning the EDO/MBM/ITT factory in Brighton, in an attempt to stop it providing parts for weapons being used by the Israeli army to bomb civilians in Gaza. Nobody was injured or harassed during their action, which was one of property damage. He and his co-defendants did not resist arrest.
Now that the trial has been adjourned until May 17th 2010
Matters are looking worse and worse for Elijah Smith who is still on remand after 10 months in prison.
Yes that’s right – 10 months in prison without trial.
It is possible that he will remain in prison until the end of August, as he has been accused of witness intimidation resulting from a minor comment made in court to EDO/MBM/ITT Managing Director Paul Hills. His trial for this offence is set to take place in August 2010. This will mean Elijah remaining in gaol until the end of next summer.
We believe that this is a malicious act by the state designed to keep Elijah in prison without trial indefinately. So we are calling for his immediate release.
There is no excuse for his continued incarceration as Elijah has an acceptable bail address and people who will stand surety for him.
Following the Raytheon roof trial at Yate magistrates one of the Raytheon three was freed when the District Judge found there was no case to answer. The remaining two defendants have been committed to crown court in the Brighton area. This is because the Crown Prosecution want to join the two cases, naturally the defence are contesting this as it will confuse the issue for the jury and because there is no connection between the two cases.
If the defence is successful then the Raytheon hearing will be at Bristol crown court, if not it will be at Brighton crown court and will begin on May 17th along with the main EDO trial.
Elijah is now in Horfield gaol where he’ll remain until Dec 1st when he’ll return to Lewes for a case management hearing along with the other defendants.
They will also reach a decision about the two trials being joined up.
Though he’ll probably return to Lewes gaol there is a possibility he’ll come back to Horfield. Please check the site soon for an update.
In the meantime please write to Elijah Smith c/o Box 6, Booty, 82 Colston St, BS1 5BB.
Free Elijah Smith now