Five pro-Palestinian activists plead not guilty to UK air base breach charges

Five pro-Palestinian activists have appeared before London’s Old Bailey court via videolink from prison, where they pleaded not guilty to charges of damaging property for a purpose prejudicial to the interests or safety of the UK.

The five individuals, Lewie Chiaramello, Jon Cink, Amy Gardiner-Gibson, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, and Muhammad Umer Khalid, are accused of breaking into the Brize Norton Royal Air Force base in central England in June. They allegedly sprayed red paint over two Voyager aircraft used for refuelling and transport.

The activists, who are affiliated with the campaign group Palestine Action, claim responsibility for the incident. The group, which has been banned by the government since July 2025, describes itself as a movement committed to ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime.

According to court documents, the five individuals will face trial in January 2027. No bail applications were made despite the activists having listed “the right to a fair trial” among their demands, which included the release of documents related to alleged persecution of activists and campaigners.

Palestine Action was launched in July 2020 and has been at the centre of controversy since its inception. The UK parliament voted in favour of banning the group as a “terrorist organisation” on July 2, 2025. Following the ban’s introduction, over 1,600 arrests were made linked to support for the proscribed group.

The court proceedings come after the activists’ demands, including an end to censorship and the shutdown of Elbit Systems, which operates several UK factories, were not met.

Source: Al Jazeera