{
  "id": 225563,
  "title": "Hearing set to decide 'terror sentencing' of activists who targeted Barclays",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/hearing-set-to-decide-terror-sentencing-of-activists-who-targeted",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T15:42:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hearing-set-decide-terror-sentencing-barclays-activists"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A hearing is set to take place to determine whether five activists convicted of criminal damage at a Barclays bank branch in Burnley should be sentenced as terrorists. The defendants - Brendon O'Hagan, Amanda Kelly, Hmeera Atiqnisar, Mohammed Malik, and Alma Yaniv - were found guilty in June 2026 of causing £212,000 worth of damage to the bank in August 2024. Judge Phillip Parry ordered the hearing, expecting to consider applying a \"terrorist connection\", even though jurors were not told about the possibility during the trial. The case echoes a previous incident in 2018 where Judge Altham issued \"manifestly excessive\" prison sentences to anti-fracking activists, which the Court of Appeal deemed inappropriate. The CPS argued that the defendants should receive a terror sentencing, despite not mentioning it during the trial. Palestine Action, the activist group, has criticized the move as a \"gross overreach\" and expressed shock at Judge Altham's decision, as the jury was unaware they were convicting the defendants of terrorism.",
  "summary": "Hearing set to decide 'terror sentencing' of activists who targeted Barclays Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 08/06/2026 - 14:28 Judge Altham, who previously issued 'manifestly excessive' sentences to anti-fracking activists, is set to determine whether the offences carry a 'terrorist connection' The defendants allegedly spray painted and splintered windows at a Barclays bank branch in Burnley over…",
  "key_points": [
    "Five activists convicted of damaging Barclays bank in Burnley.",
    "Defendants sentenced as terrorists in hearing, not during trial.",
    "Case echoes 2018 anti-fracking activists' excessive sentencing."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The hearing may establish a precedent for applying terror sentencing to similar cases, potentially expanding the scope of what constitutes a terrorist connection in convictions for criminal damage.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}