Lawyers denounce what is thought to be the first use of section 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 against protesters
www.theguardian.com
Excerpt:
Two men who supported a direct action protest by a pro-Palestine campaign at an arms factory have been arrested on suspicion of being part of an organised crime group.
Police swooped on the pair last week over the roles they played in a Palestine Action protest two months ago. It is believed to be the first use of organised crime laws against protesters in the UK.
Lawyers criticised the arrests. Raj Chada of Hodge Jones & Allen one of the UK’s leading protest lawyers who has represented Palestine Action, Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion supporters in court, called them “a very concerning development”.
Seven protesters broke into the Instro Precision factory in Sandwich, Kent, in June. Activists say the facility makes targeting equipment for the Israeli military.
Once inside they smashed equipment, doused the walls with red paint and barricaded the doors before waited for police to arrive. All were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.
Kent police said: “Two people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group following a report of a protest at Discovery Park, Sandwich, on Monday 17 June 2024.