UN expert's concern over activist charges

The group were arrested after a ram raid at an Elbit facility in Bristol

A human rights expert has written to the government expressing concern over a group of protesters the Home Office says are being detained under anti-terrorism laws.

Members of Palestine Action are alleged to have used a vehicle to break through the doors of Elbit Systems UK near Bristol under claims the firm supplies arms to Israel.

In his letter Professor Ben Saul, an independent expert appointed by the UN to monitor human rights, says the group have been classified as high-security prisoners with "restricted status", and denied access to legal support, family visits and healthcare.

The Home Office said: "The CPS has decided that there is sufficient evidence to submit to the court that these offences have a terrorism connection."

The activists are alleged to have stormed the building and damaged property in a bid to disrupt operations for the alleged manufacturing of weapons to Israel - something the firm denies.

Elbit Systems UK has previously denied that the facility supplies the Israeli military with arms.

A spokesperson said: "Any claims that this facility supplies the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence are categorically false."

A total of 10 people have been charged with criminal damage, violent disorder, and aggravated burglary using a sledgehammer in relation to the incident, which happened in the early hours of 6 August:

• Jordan Devlin, 30, of Stoke Newington High Street, London

• Charlotte Head, 28, of Upper Clapton Road, Hackney, London

• Leona Kamio, 28, of Clifden Road, Hackney, London

• Fatema Rajwani, 20, of Commonside, East Mitcham, Merton

• Zoe Rogers, 20, of Selborne Road, Southgate, Enfield

• Hannah Davidson, 51, of Calder Gardens, Edinburgh

• Ian Sanders, 45, of Regent Place, Royal Leamington Spa

• William Plastow, 33, of High Croft Avenue, Manchester

• Madeline Norman, 29, of Wester Drylaw Drive, Edinburgh

• Samuel Corner, 22, of Rock Hill, Georgeham, Devon was also charged with GBH with intent and two counts of ABH

A previous hearing was told a decommissioned prison van was driven through the doors of the building, and two responding police officers and a security guard were injured in the ram raid.

In response to the letter from Professor Saul, the Home Office said: "Those who are the subject of the letter have been charged with several substantive offences: criminal damage, violent disorder, aggravated burglary, grievous bodily harm with intent, and actual bodily harm."

It added there was "sufficient evidence" of a terrorism connection.

Elbit Systems UK have previously denied supplying the Israeli army with weapons

The activists were initially detained at police stations in Bristol for 36 hours, during which time they were denied access to legal representation, and were not permitted to contact their families or the outside world, Prof Saul claimed.

Once this time period had expired, the group were further arrested for an alternative offence under section five of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Prof Saul said the group were held for a further seven days under this terror-related offence, where they were then transferred to police stations in Hammersmith and Newbury for questioning.

He claimed there was a "significant delay" in notifying their families of this transfer - which they submit amounts to "enforced disappearance".

The letter also claims the defendants have experienced difficulty in practicing their religious rights while detained, as well as accessing medication.

In addition, it says their mail is being monitored and restricted on the basis of "national security".

"We query whether counter-terrorism laws may have been used to circumvent procedural safeguards in relation to detention," the letter states.

The defendants are currently being held in HMP Bronzefield (pictured) and HMP Wormwood Scrubs, the UN says

The letter from Prof Saul has also queried on behalf of the defendants whether their restricted status is "disproportionate and inconsistent" with the treatment of other individuals charged with "the same ordinary offences".

It wrote: "Treating direct action, - albeit involving some violence - as 'terrorism' over-states the nature of the conduct and seriously risks chilling the exercise of freedom of expression".

However, a spokesperson for the Counter Terrorism Policing South East Unit, which is leading the investigation, said the individuals have been "held in conjunction with the relevant legislation and codes of practice for arrest and detention whilst in custody".

A provisional trial date has been set for 17 November.