UK Judge Spares Radical Activists Terrorism Sentences for Barclays Attack
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A Preston Crown Court judge has decided not to apply terrorism laws to five Palestine Action activists convicted of causing major damage to a Barclays branch, with sentencing scheduled for September 4.
A Preston Crown Court judge ruled on Friday that five members of the radical protest group Palestine Action, who were convicted of criminal damage to a Barclays bank branch in Burnley, will not face sentencing under terrorism laws. The activists – Brendon O’Hagan, Amanda Kelly, Hmeera Atiqnisar, Mohammed Malik and Alma Yaniv – were found guilty in June of inflicting £212,000 in damage during a disruptive protest against the bank’s legitimate business ties with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.
Supporters of the activists gathered outside the court and cheered as the decision was announced, celebrating the leniency shown to individuals who engaged in destructive and unlawful behavior.
"It’s a victory for us, it’s a victory for Palestine, it’s a victory for protesting … We are on the right side of history," said Dove Malik, the mother of Mohammed Malik, downplaying the seriousness of the crime committed.
The defendants issued a joint statement expressing relief that they would not be treated as terrorists, and complained that neither they nor the jury had been informed that terrorism charges were possible, despite the clear political motivations behind their actions.
The judge stated he would still consider whether the offence had a "terrorist connection," a measure previously used in another case involving Palestine Action at an Elbit Systems site near Bristol. Criminal lawyer Raj Chada noted that the use of terrorism-related provisions in such protest cases is rare and appears to be limited to this group’s repeated law-breaking.
Human-rights organizations criticized the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action in July 2025, calling it an overreach. However, many believe that strong measures are necessary to prevent extremist groups from using direct action as a cover for criminal activity. Amnesty International UK’s Kerry Moscogiuri called for the proscription to be lifted and for an end to the use of counter-terror powers against protesters, a stance that some argue could undermine public safety.