The prosecution led the days argument they claimed by causing over a quarter of a million pounds worth of damage to EDO/ITT we in no way could have saved lives in the occupied territories. This therefore meant we had no right to a jury trial. The judge then asked the prosecution to provide evidence to substantiate such a claim, the prosecution had nothing to show.
The defence then came back to say there were two linked issues that required consideration.
i) The circumstances in which a judge may withdraw a defendant’s defence;
ii) Whether the facts relied on by the defendants’ amounts to a defence in law.
The points of law up for scrutiny were from the:
Criminal Damage Act 1971,
Criminal Law Act 1967,
The Common Law Defence of Necessity.
Judge Kemp returned in the afternoon with the court’s finding and took a favourable decision for the decommissioners. The issues raised by the defence, on all three points of Law, should be decided by a jury and not a judge. The prosecution then asked the judge if they were allowed to appeal, the judge refused although this confusingly still leaves the door open to the court of appeal.
It is anticipated that the prosecution will go to the court appeal to challenge at-least one if not all three of the decommissioners defences. They have a week in which to do thisif they so wish.
More than 1400 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces between December 27th and January18th, more than 400 of which were children. They deliberately targeted individuals in their homes, schools, hospitals as well as U.N compounds.
EDO MBM make vital components for the Paveway munitions, and bomb release clips for F15 and F16 fighter aircraft and have contracts with the Israeli Military
During the bombardment six ordinary people took disarmament into their own hands for the well-being of those in Gaza where governments and international law failed to act.
“If you hear the sound of a child being brutalised in the house next door and you rush in to smash the door down and save the child, should you be charged with breaking and entering? Obviously not.” Wrote Eamonn McCann of the Raytheon 9.
Nine people have been charged with Criminal Damage, and conspiracy to cause criminal damage, they have put their freedom on the line and they need your support, especially Elijah James Smith a year on remand without trial.
Elijah Smith was transferred back from Elmley Prison in Kent on Monday 1st March Following the preliminary court hearing.
Letters of support now really important as he’s been inside for over a year without trial.
There was a hearing relating to the decommissioners’ case at Hove Crown Court on December 1st where the prosecutors failed in their attempt to join the case of the EDO decommissioning court case with criminal damage charges arising out of the previous month long rooftop occupation of Raytheon in Bristol.
The 9 people in the decommissioning case unfortunately didn’t succeed in their challenge of the “no contact” clause of their bail conditions and are therefore still prevented from contacting or seeing each other. Which is leading to difficulties, including the arrest of three at the target Brimar demonstration in Manchester.
Decommissioner Elijah Smith has now been on remand for over 10 months and is likely to stay in prison until the court case which now starts on the 17th of May 2010. He could do with as much support as possible. He has recently been moved back to Lewes. Please write to him at
Elijah Smith VP 7551, HMP Lewes , 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA ENGLAND
Elijah Smith is still in jail 1 year on from his part in the decommissioning of the EDO/MBM/ITT factory in Brighton. EDO make parts for the weapons used by the Israeli army to bomb civilians in Gaza. Nobody was injured or harassed during their action, which was one of damage to property only. Elijah and his co-defendants did not resist arrest.
The trial will now be held on May 17th in the Brighton area
Matters are looking worse and worse for Elijah who is still on remand after one year in gaol.
Yes that’s right – one year in prison without trial.
It is possible that he will remain in prison until September as his trial for the occupation of the Raytheon roof in Frenchay business Park is scheduled for September 2nd at Bristol crown court.
His trial for witness intimidation resulting from a minor comment made in court to EDO/MBM/ITT Managing Director Paul Hills is set to take place in August. Read the rest of this entry »
Support the Bristol Aid Convoy to Gaza and the Bristol Gaza Link. Building humanitarian, cultural, educational and social links between Bristol and the people of Gaza.
Since 2004 two managing directors of the company have confirmed the company owns the patents of two essential components used by the Israeli Air Force F16 aircraft called the VER-2. Read the rest of this entry »
For three consecutive days Carmel Agrexco in Hayes, Middlesex was blockaded to raise awareness over the continued sale of illegal settlement produce here in the UK. Protestors endured violence and aggression from both Carmel staff and police beyond enduring freezing temperatures and little sleep. In total five protestors were arrested.
On Friday, 6th November, pro-Palestinian activists carried out the first of what was to be three consecutive days of blockading at Carmel Agrexco’s depot in Hayes, Middlesex. The action saw a coalition of students from Kings, UCL, SOAS and Goldsmiths, saw members from Anachists Against the Wall and the International Solidarity Movement as well as other independent activists and individuals come together to implement the blockades. Read the rest of this entry »
A new 26 page pamphlet, entitled ‘If I Had a Hammer – Decommissioning the Arms Trade’ has been released in support of the decommissioning of EDO MBM in January 2009 during the bombing of Gaza. The pamphlet includes accounts by people who took part in the action and articles about EDO’s supply of weapons to Israel and from Trident Ploughshares and the Free Gaza movement. Download it here (print ready),
Whilst searching for information on munitions and arms companies, I found this rather revealing page from an old EDO/MBM website page, they don’t reveal much to the general public these days. click here To see VER 2 Bomb rack produced for Israeli F16 planes, which were used for war crimes in January this year.
An Amnesty International report shows evidence of grave war crimes in Gaza. Including evidence of crimes committed with F16 aircraft with EDO bomb release mechanisms see above. During the conflict around 1300 died and now six months after Israel launched its three-week military operation in Gaza. Gazans still cannot rebuild their lives. Click here to see 10 minute amnesty documentary showing evidence of F16’s committing war crimes
by causing over a quarter of a million pounds worth of damage to EDO/ITT we in no way could have saved lives in the occupied territories. This therefore meant we had no right to a jury trial. The judge then asked the prosecution to provide evidence to substantiate such a claim, the prosecution had nothing to show.
Elijah Smith Was Moved Back To Lewes Prison
For three consecutive days Carmel Agrexco in Hayes, Middlesex was blockaded to raise awareness over the continued sale of illegal settlement produce here in the UK. Protestors endured violence and aggression from both Carmel staff and police beyond enduring freezing temperatures and little sleep. In total five protestors were arrested.
A new 26 page pamphlet, entitled ‘If I Had a Hammer – Decommissioning the Arms Trade’ has been released in support of the decommissioning of EDO MBM in January 2009 during the bombing of Gaza. The pamphlet includes accounts by people who took part in the action and articles about EDO’s supply of weapons to Israel and from Trident Ploughshares and the Free Gaza movement. Download it
crimes in Gaza. Including evidence of crimes committed with F16 aircraft with EDO bomb release mechanisms see above. During the conflict around 1300 died and now six months after Israel launched its three-week military operation in Gaza. Gazans still cannot rebuild their lives. 