Three women charged under UK anti-terror laws after van driven into defence factory fence in Gaza protest
Police said on Sunday that three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, who had earlier been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 had now been charged.
They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
Police Scotland said their counter-terrorism unit was leading the investigation and enquiries were ongoing.
The force also issued an appeal for information to trace the movements of two vehicles.
One was a blue Ford Transit van which was seen around Gorgie Road on Monday and Tuesday prior to the incident.
The other was a white Honda CR-Z which was found in a car park on Gorgie Road after the incident.
Police have asked anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference number 0416 of July 15.
Following the incident on Tuesday, a group called Shut Down Leonardo said the factory made laser targeting systems for Israel's F-35 fighter jets.
Leonardo has said it does not supply equipment directly to Israel and that its main customer is the UK Armed Forces.
"Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel,' it said.
"The right to peaceful protest is an important principle in our society, however, aggressive and violent activity should have no place in protest.
"The intimidation of our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable."
In response to the news of the charges, the Shut Down Leonardo campaign, which has been posting updates on the action, said: 'The three activists have now been charged under the Terrorism Act.
'Scotland has a proud history of direct action, and never before has it been labeled as terrorism.
'Mobilise from 9.30AM at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday 21st July and demand they're released.'
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Three women charged under UK anti-terror laws after van driven into defence factory fence in Gaza protest
The incident happened at the Leonardo facility in Crewe Road North on Tuesday, and has been claimed by the Shut Down Leonardo campaign, which says the company supplies parts for Israeli F-35 jets. Police said on Sunday that three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, who had earlier been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 had now been charged. They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday. Police Scotland said their counter-terrorism unit was leading the investigation and enquiries were ongoing. The force also issued an appeal for information to trace the movements of two vehicles. One was a blue Ford Transit van which was seen around Gorgie Road on Monday and Tuesday prior to the incident. The other was a white Honda CR-Z which was found in a car park on Gorgie Road after the incident. Police have asked anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference number 0416 of July 15. Following the incident on Tuesday, a group called Shut Down Leonardo said the factory made laser targeting systems for Israel's F-35 fighter jets. Leonardo has said it does not supply equipment directly to Israel and that its main customer is the UK Armed Forces. "Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel,' it said. "The right to peaceful protest is an important principle in our society, however, aggressive and violent activity should have no place in protest. "The intimidation of our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable." In response to the news of the charges, the Shut Down Leonardo campaign, which has been posting updates on the action, said: 'The three activists have now been charged under the Terrorism Act. 'Scotland has a proud history of direct action, and never before has it been labeled as terrorism. 'Mobilise from 9.30AM at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday 21st July and demand they're released.'
