Three women have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after driving a van draped in the Palestinian flag into a Scottish defence factory.
The van rammed into a fence outside the Leonardo factory in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh earlier tonight.
Police Scotland said three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The three women photographed on the van smiled at the cameras, and one even showed off her handcuffs.
Photos shared by the activist group ‘Shut Down Leonardo’ showed the van sticking partially out of the fence.
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The group says the Leonardo factory in Edinburgh helps make components for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets.
In early June, Leonardo was listed as one of the companies as part of what Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, called the ‘economy of genocide’.
Leonardo has previously been the target of aggressive protests. In October, the company put barbed wire on top of their fences after projectiles were thrown into the building’s windows.
The force said its Counter Terrorism Unit is leading the investigation, and inquiries are ongoing.
A Leonardo spokesperson said: ‘Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment directly to Israel.
‘The right to peaceful protest is an important principle in our society; however, aggressive and violent activity should have no place in protest.
‘The intimidation of our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable.
‘Our main customer is the UK Armed Forces. We are proud to manufacture technology that supports our service personnel and helps keep them safe. Their dedication underpins the freedom on which our society is based.’
Shut Down Leonardo was approached for comment.
In March this year, Shut Down Leonardo cut off the electricity from the factory in Edinburgh. In December, 100 activists blocked the entrance to the site.
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