Legal progress for the EDO Decommissioners but one remains on remand

UPDATE: Read a report about the Decommissioners court hearing last Monday, by someone who was there.
Elijah ‘James’ Smith has been moved back to Lewes prison. Please write and send him your support and solidarity: Elijah Smith, VP 7551, HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1EA

Some good news today on the legal front for the EDO Decommissioners.

The 6 EDO Decommissioners from Bristol, along with the 3 campaigners from Brighton allegedly implicated in the case, were in court in Brighton today, 1 March,  to hear the judge rule on whether or not they could proceed with their defence. That defence is based on the arguement that whatever crime(s) they may have committed were justified by the fact they acted to stop a far greater crime – namely that by decommissioning the EDO MBM/ITT arms factory in Brighton they would contribute to stopping the Israeli state from bombing Gazan civilians during the attack in December 2008/January 2009. First reports from the court indicate the judge has ruled in their favour!

Urgent update as Bristol EDO Decommissioner Elijah Smith moved to new prison

The Bristol EDO Decommissioner Elijah Smith has been moved from HMP Lewes to another prison. No reasons are known for the move, so it seems likely that its just down to the pure bloody-mindedness of the British state in dealing with a political prisoner.

Elijah was transferred to Elmley Prison in Kent around Friday 22nd January and will probably remain there until March we understand. Letters of support remain really important as he’s likely to have less visitors now he’s been moved away from Brighton. Solidarity as ever remains vital for political prisoners.

Elijah Smith, VP 7551, HMP Elmley (Sheppey Cluster), Church Rd, Eastchurch, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 4DZ.

For those who can visit, times are 2pm-4.15pm daily, book a visit on 01795882272. HMP Elmley visiting info

HMP Elmley prison regime info

See the support campaign website

Bristol EDO Decommissioner Elijah Smith a prisoner of war for one year

Elijah (James) Smith has now been locked up on remand for one year, ever since his arrest last 18 January 2009 after the EDO/MBM ITT factory in Brighton was trashed by 6 campaigners from Bristol. His and the other 5’s trial for that action commences on May 17 in Brighton (along with 3 other people from Brighton allegedly implicated in the action), however he faces being held on remand at least until his trial for the Raytheon 2 (formerly 3) starts in Bristol in early September.

2 Bristol Decommissioners re-arrested and 1 ghosted

2 of Bristol’s 6 EDO Decommissioners were re-arrested on Saturday at an anti-militarist protest (see photos) near Manchester.