THREE more Palestine Action activists have been charged with criminal damage and aggravated burglary following a ram-raid at an Elbit Systems UK.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said today that it would be submitting the alleged offences at the Israeli-based defence firm’s premises have a “terrorist connection.”

Protesters allegedly broke into in the South Gloucestershire site carrying sledgehammers on August 6.

Counter-terror police said Ian Sanders, 45, of Royal Leamington Spa; William Plastow, 33, of Manchester; and Madeline Norman, 29, of Edinburgh would appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.

Ms Norman is also charged with violent disorder.

Seven individuals who had previously been charged in connection with the incident were remanded in custody at the court on Tuesday, to appear at the Old Bailey on September 13.

Palestine Action campaign group said: “In total, 10 activists have been charged in connection to the Filton action — all of whom were first detained without charge for nearly a week and interrogated constantly under the powers granted by the Terrorism Act. 

“A week after the first arrests, charges were brought against seven of the now dubbed ‘Filton 10’ — none of which were offences under the Terrorism Act.

“Despite this, the state continued to abuse counter-terror powers to detain and interrogate further activists, whilst also dedicating nationwide resources to protect Israel's biggest weapons firm.”

It added: “Under Section 1 of the Genocide Convention, all parties have a responsibility to prevent genocide and punish those responsible for its commission.

“Rather than abide by their legal and moral duties, the British state has deployed extensive resources towards protecting a company perpetrating genocide. 

“Palestine Action refuse to be intimidated into allowing a genocide to happen. We never back down to a crackdown.”