Four pro-Palestinian activists charged over UK military base break-in

Activists remain in custody and set to appear before court in London

Photo: Reuters

Four pro-Palestinian activists have been charged after breaking into a military air base in central England last month and damaging two planes in protest against Britain's support for Israel.

Counter-terrorism police said the charges were for conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

The four, aged between 22 and 35, remain in custody and are due to appear in a London court on Thursday. Police said they will present evidence to court linking the offences to terrorism.

The campaign group Palestine Action has said it was behind the incident on June 20, when the air base in Oxfordshire in central England was broken into and red paint was sprayed over two planes used for refuelling and transport.

British lawmakers voted on Wednesday to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The group has condemned the decision as an "abuse of power" and announced plans to challenge it in court.

The police statement said those charged had caused 7 million pounds ($9.55 million) worth of damage to the two aircraft at the Brize Norton Royal Air Force base.

Palestine Action has routinely targeted companies in Britain with links to Israel, including Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.