Barrister in Palestine Action trial facing contempt of court proceedings
Summary
Rajiv Menon KC, a human rights lawyer, faces contempt of court charges for allegedly disobeying a judge's orders during the trial of Palestine Action activists. The case involves a 2024 protest at a UK factory linked to an Israeli company, and the charges relate to Menon’s closing speech appealing to jury independence.Key Facts
- Rajiv Menon KC is accused of breaking court rules during his closing speech in the trial of six activists.
- The trial concerned a 2024 protest at Elbit Systems UK, an arms factory near Bristol linked to Israel.
- The defendants were retried after no one was convicted in the first trial that ended in January 2024.
- Menon represented defendant Charlotte Head in both trials.
- The court accused Menon of encouraging the jury to ignore legal directions and consider political views on the Middle East conflict.
- Menon cited a historic 1670 case that supports jury independence during his speech.
- The judge ruled that the defendants could not use a "lawful excuse" defense based on Israeli military actions in Gaza.
- Some defendants dismissed their lawyers before closing speeches and spoke for themselves before some were convicted.
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