Anti-War Rooftop Occupiers Win Appeal Court Victory

Today Friday 9th December 2005, at Hove Crown Court, three protesters who had been convicted of Aggravated Trespass because of a rooftop occupation
at Brighton arms dealer’s EDO MBM, were acquitted of all charges. The rooftop occupation happened on 20th May 2004.
The result of today’s appeal will mean the EDO’s crumbling case for an injunction against named protesters has been damaged even further as their legal team were relying on the convictions as evidence of harassment of employees of the factory.
The defence team raised serious issues about the lawfulness of EDO MBM’s work in their supply of an illegal war in Iraq and an illegal occupation of Palestine.

Although EDO MBM have denied under oath selling equipment to Israel, Managing Director David Jones was cross examined about his company’s supply of the Zero Retention Force Arming Unit (ZR FAU) which is an essential part of the VER-2, the main bomb rack for Israeli F16s. Mr Jones admitted that EDO (UK) owns 100% shares in EDO Artisan which advertise they make the part for the Israeli Air Force, but despite this and the fact he is a director of EDO (UK) he asserted implausibly that he had no control over the company or who it sold equipment to.

EDO MBM Managing Director Dave Jones, under oath on wednesday 7th december:

"*we do not manufacture* the ZR FAU, our sister company in america has *the capacity* to produce it, and EDO MBM *simply advertise* that capacity"

EDO MBM's website, that evening:

"EDO MBM are *actively manufacturing* the Zero Retention Force Arming Unit [ZR FAU] for the US armed services ... *Current* applications include F-111, F-15, F/A-18 and AV-8B"


Today (9th Dec) also saw compelling expert testimony by Professor Nick Grief, an authority on international law, who explained that (in his opinion) EDO MBM are criminally liable if the knowingly continue to supply parts which are used to commit war crimes in Iraq (whether there have been such crimes was argued by the appellants (the rooftop 3).

Perhaps the lucidity of the 'war crimes' arguments helped the court to uphold the appeal on factual grounds (they couldn't say the appellants shouted any abuse as alleged).

Now its time to -

Put EDO in the dock - support freedom to protest - end war crimes and agression - MASS DEMO 12 noon Churchill Square TOMORROW (Sat 10th Dec/International Human Rights day). See you there!