Two men accused of causing criminal damage to an Israeli-owned factory during a pro-Palestinian rooftop protest in Leicester have appeared before a judge.
Campaigners with a huge yellow banner supporting Palestine Action, which organised the protest at UAV Tactical Systems, gathered outside the city’s crown court while the case was being heard.
Joseph Irving (20), of Ambrose Street, York, and Ferhat Ulusu (43), of Gifford Street, London, both pleaded not guilty to causing criminal damage at the factory, between Tuesday, May 19, and Monday, May 24.
The protest caused a complete shutdown in production at the Meridian Business Park factory, which makes unmanned aerial vehicles, such as drones.
UAV is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, an Israel-based defence electronics company, and Thales, a French aerospace company.
Both men also denied conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
Judge Philip Head adjourned the hearing for a five-day trial next year.
Irving and Ulusu were both released on bail.
The rooftop protest ended when Leicestershire Police went onto the roof to make arrests. The prolonged incident attracted large gatherings at the business park.
In a statement at the time, the group said it wanted to stop UK-made drones from “being used to commit war crimes”.
