Man appears in court over Palestine Action RAF break-in
- Published
A man has appeared in court charged with offences relating to a break-in at RAF Brize Norton, which was claimed by Palestine Action.
Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, is accused of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK.
The incident on 20 June saw a group of protesters break into the air base and spray-paint two RAF Voyager planes. Police say the act caused £7m of damage.
Mr Khalid, who appeared in court via video link from Wormwood Scrubs, has been remanded in custody and will next appear in court to enter a plea in January.
Palestine Action has claimed the incident, saying it was a protest against the UK's support of Israel's war in Gaza.
The British government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation soon after.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told the court the break-in was a "sophisticated and carefully planned attack" with a "terrorist connection".
Mr Khalid, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, is the fifth person to be charged in connection with the break-in.
He will next appear in court for a plea hearing on 16 January 2026, and a provisional trial date is set for 18 January 2027.
Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, and Lewis Chiaramello, 22, who are all also in custody, will appear on the same dates.