Two people charged after Pro-Palestine protestors 'blocked' Edinburgh defence factory
Two people have been charged after Pro-Palestine protestors reportedly 'blocked' the entrance to an Edinburgh arms factory yesterday.
During the early hours of Monday August 18, demonstrators parked a van at the Crewe Road North Leonardo site. One activist appeared to be locked inside with a Palestine flag while another was 'locked' to the top of the vehicle.
In a bid to impede access and shut production down, the factory was also targeted with glass jars which were filled with red and green paint.
Police Scotland, who deployed officers to the scene, have arrested and charged 35-year-old women and a 40-year-old man in connection with the incident.
Both are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
This is the second action by Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh. The group launched with an action at the factory on July 15.
Last month, three women appeared in court charged with malicious mischief after a van was allegedly driven into its fence.
Niaomi Stubbs-Gorman, 31, Susan Riddell, 42, and Allegra Fitzherbert, 34, all appeared on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court via video-link.
The trio made no plea on charges of malicious mischief, aggravated by having a "terrorist connection". Riddell was also charged under the Road Traffic Act 1988, aggravated by having a "terrorist connection".
The Leonardo factory has been previously targeted by pro-Palestinian protestors over claims that it supplies equipment used by the Israel Defense Forces - specifically guidance kit for F-35 jets.
In December last year, Leonardo's site in Edinburgh's Crewe Road North was hit by demonstrators twice in the space of a week.
On December 12, the group stationed themselves outside the factory holding banners that read"stop arming genocide." Some windows at the facility were also splashed with red paint.
A spokesperson for Shut Down Leonardo said: "With most world leaders either ignoring Israel's genocide in Gaza, or actively involved in it, we cannot look aside while our Palestinian brothers and sisters are being exterminated.
"By shutting down Leonardo, we hope to disrupt the supply chain to the deadly F-35 war planes."
A spokesperson for Leonardo insisted in December that the company does not 'supply equipment' direct to Israel.
supply equipment direct to Israel.
"The safety and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and neighbours is our first priority. Aggression towards, or the intimidation of, our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable."
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.
"A 35-year-old women and a 40-year-old man have been arrested and charged in connection.
"Both are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date."
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