20-07-2025
Terror charges brought against three women after van is driven into the fence of a defence factory in Edinburgh in pro-Palestine protest
Terror charges have been brought against three women after a van was driven into the fence of a defence factory in Edinburgh in a pro-Palestine protest.
The incident happened at the site run by global security company Leonardo in the Pilton area of the Scottish capital on Tuesday morning.
The facility, on Crewe Road North, was also defaced with white paint in the direct action by campaign group Shut Down Leonardo.
The women, aged 31, 34 and 42, who had earlier been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 have now been charged.
They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
Police Scotland's counter-terrorism unit is leading the ongoing investigation - and has appealed for information about the vehicles involved.
The crashed large light blue Ford Transit van was seen on Gorgie Road, around a 15-minute drive away, on Monday and Tuesday before the incident.
A white Honda CR-Z, a sporty hybrid car, was recovered in a car park off the same A road after the incident.
Pictures show a Palestinian flag hanging off the crashed van, which was crashed into a tall metal fence topped with barbed wire.
The three women are seen sitting on top of the van, which they appear to be helped down from by emergency workers.
A shot of them atop the vehicle sees one of the women smile directly at the camera, while another displays her handcuffed wrists and the last wears a Palestine shirt.
Direct action campaign group Shut Down Leonardo has since said the protest was against the factory making laser targeting systems for Israel's F-35 fighter jets.
Leonardo has said it does not supply equipment directly to Israel and its main customer is the UK Armed Forces.
The firm told the PA news agency: 'Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel.
'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.'
Police have previously said they are treating the incident as 'targeted' and do not think it poses a wider threat to the public.
Leonardo's website describes it as one of the biggest suppliers of defence and security equipment to the Ministry of Defence.
It operates from nine sites across the UK, employing more than 8,500 people.
The force has also asked anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference number 0416 of July 15.
