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2 arrests after Edinburgh weapons factory blockaded in Gaza protest

2 arrests after Edinburgh weapons factory blockaded in Gaza protest

The National4 hours ago
Leonardo, an Italian company on Crewe Road, supplies military technology to Israel.
This incudes components for F-35 fighter jets, which have been used to bomb Gaza.
Shortly after 6am on Monday, campaigners from the Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh group could be seen parking a van at the site.
READ MORE: Israeli forces 'kill Palestinian child carrying water to family', footage shows
One activist appeared to be locked inside while another said they were "locked" to the top of the vehicle.
The factory was also targeted with glass jars which were filled with red and green paint, in an attempt to block access and halt production.
Police attended the scene and arrested a 35-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man.
In a video shared on social media, one of the activists taking part in the blockade said: "I'm taking direct action today at Leonardo's weapons manufacturer in Edinburgh where we're looking to halt the production of the F-35 component parts that are made here and used to indiscriminately massacre civilians in Gaza."
They added: "I'm locked on to the top of the van. We're looking to shut down the factory for as long as possible."
The protest comes after the group took similar action on July 15, when protesters drove a van into the security fence of the same factory.
READ MORE: I went to Glenfinnan to see Harry Potter tourism chaos. Here's my verdict.
Images showed the front of the vehicle sticking through the fence, with a Palestinian flag draped over the rear of the vehicle.
(Image: Alan Simpson) Three women were subsequently charged under the Terrorism Act.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 6.15am on Monday, 18 August, 2025, we were called to a report of a protest outside a business premises in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh.
"Officers are in attendance and a 35-year-old women and a 40-year-old man have been arrested in connection.
"Enquiries are ongoing."
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