Palestine Action prisoners get bail

At long last, twelve of the Palestine Action defendants – otherwise known as the Filton 24 – have been granted bail following a hearing at the Old Bailey on.

The legal limit for an individual to held on remand (before trial) is 182 days, or around 6 months. Every single one of the defendants were held for longer than that period – some even for twice as long.

Five of the Filton defendants – Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Zahra Farooque, Heba Muraisi, and Qesser Zuhrah – had been on remand since November 2024. Hannah Davidson had been held since August 2024.

A further six defendants – Salaam Mahmood, Moiz Ibrahim, Finn Collins, Harland (Harley) Archer, Louie Adams, and Liam Mullany- had been held since July 2025.

Palestine Action defendants

On top of that, Yulia Brigadirova was granted bail on Wednesday 18 February. However, she was still remanded for another case relating to an action against Elbit, for which Davidson was also charged. This took place at the Instro weapons Factory in Kent back in June 2024.

Today, Brigadirova was also granted bail for the second case. Unfortunately, Davidson won’t be released until she too is granted bail regarding this second case.

Meanwhile, Samuel Corner is the only member of the Filton24 who remains on remand. He’s been held since August 2024 – that is, one-and-a-half years, and three times the legal limit. He did not apply for bail today.

At his trial, he was acquitted of aggravated burglary. Likewise, he was not convicted of a single offence, including grievous bodily harm with intent against a police officer.

Four of the prisoners who’ve been granted bail – Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Qesser Zuhrah and Heba Muraisi – also participated in the hunger strike. Their demands were simple – the de-proscription of Palestine Action, and immediate bail.

On Friday 13 February, the High Court ruled that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful, “disproportionate” and in breach of human rights. Nevertheless, as our own Skwawkbox pointed out:

However, the ‘proscription’ remains in place for at least another week while the government has a chance to prepare submissions on the court’s finding. It remains a criminal offence, for the time being, to express support for Palestine Action. Police should, of course, weigh whether it’s worth arresting people when no prosecutions are likely, but their record suggests they won’t.

‘Monumental victory’

Today’s granting of bail comes after eighteen of the defendants were found not guilty of aggravated burglary on Wednesday 18 February. This, in turn, followed the jury acquittal for the first six who went to trial for aggravated burglary.

Aggravated burglary carries a maximum life sentence. As such, it was by far the most serious charge against any of the Filton 24. The prosecution alleged that the the defendants entered the Elbit weapons factory together with the intention of using the items they carried as weapons, or at least on a joint-enterprises basis to do so.

However, the ‘not guilty’ verdict means that the prosecution’s case itself wasn’t accepted.

A Filton24 Defence Committee spokesperson said:

Today is a monumental victory for the Filton24. Many of them faced up to 2 years on remand before trial, far exceeding the 6 month pre-trial custody time limit. Some of them were left with no other option but to hunger strike as a means to resist their unjust incarceration and continue to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. Despite the state’s best efforts to break each and everyone of them, they will walk out today with their heads held high.

Samuel Corner is the only member of the Filton24 who remains on remand, despite not being convicted of a single offence at trial. This isn’t right, or just, given he has already spent over 18 months in prison with no convictions. He should also be granted immediate bail.

Today marks a huge victory for the Filton24 defendants. However, the trials themselves are still to come, and the fight isn’t over yet.

Featured image via the Canary