'Terrorist connection' over Trump Turnberry vandalism charges

Seven people accused of vandalism at Donald Trump's Turnberry golf resort have been charged with an offence alleged to have a "terrorist connection".

The allegation is contained in an indictment lodged with the High Court of Justiciary in Glasgow over the incident that happened at the Ayrshire resort during a protest on 8 March 2025.

It states that the offence was aggravated under Section 31 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008, as amended by the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021, because it had a "terrorist connection".

The Defend Our Juries group has criticised the move, claiming the accused could face "far longer prison sentences" despite not being charged with terrorism offences.

Kieran Robson, 35, Uzma Bashir, 56, Ricky Southall, 34, Autumn Taylor Ward, 22, Rebecca Sian Davies, 29, John Moxley, 58, and Dylan Chiaramello, 24, were all charged with criminal damage following the protest.

It is alleged the group dug up turf and sprayed weedkiller on the course, caused flooding by damaging a sprinkler system, and damaged a light.

Prosecutors also allege that slogans including "Free Gaza", "Free Palestine" and "Gaza is not for sale" were daubed on the course and buildings, along with offensive messages directed at Trump.

The seven were due to appear at the High Court in Glasgow next Monday, but the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said on Friday that the hearing had been adjourned, with the next hearing due to take place in October.

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Robson also faces an allegation that he committed the offence while on bail. The indictment states that he had been granted bail at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 9 January 2025.

The allegation comes after four members of Palestine Action received longer prison sentences in June after being convicted over a raid on a factory operated by Israeli defence company Elbit Systems.

More than £1m of damage was caused during that incident and the judge concluded there was a terrorist connection.

Human rights groups and supporters of those convicted criticised the sentences as disproportionate.

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025.

The Court of Appeal later upheld the government's decision, saying the group had "overtly promoted unlawful violence amounting to terrorism".

The group's co-founder Huda Ammori is seeking permission to challenge the implementation of the ban at the UK Supreme Court.

The US government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation on Wednesday.

The Trump administration said the move was part of action against what it described as "far-left extremists".

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