Raytheon 'War Crimes' Trial collapses

[Donagh]

Trial of the Raytheon 9 collapses

The trial of the Raytheon 9 has collapsed at Belfast Laganside court today, Wednesday.

The defendants from Derry Anti War Coalition walked free after the judge dismissed the case for lack of evidence from the prosecution.

The nine anti-war protesters, including campaigning journalist Eamonn McCann, occupied and shut down the Derry offices of Raytheon, the fifth biggest arms manufacturer in the world, on Wednesday 9 August 2006.

The action was part of a wider protest at Raytheon's complicity in the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon and the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Throughout the trial the Nine maintained that their actions were legitimate as an attempt to prevent war crimes.

The judge was forced to concede this when he stated that the defendants had acted to prevent destruction in Lebanon.

This is a major victory and vindication of the action of the Derry Anti War Coalition and the Raytheon Nine.

[bennydorano]

Lack of evidence? What was the actual charge?  They could have been done for B&E at the very least.

[Donagh]

Lack of evidence? What was the actual charge?  They could have been done for B&E at the very least.

They were charged with criminal damage and affray but their defence was that by their actions they were attempting to prevent crimes such as the Qana massacre (2006) in which the Israelis used Raytheon missiles to kill 28 people. There's been a gagging order in place during the trial, presumably to save someones blushes, so not many details have been given out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Qana_airstrike

[SammyG]

Excellent news. Very unlike a judge to make a sensible decision.

[David McKeown]

Lack of evidence? What was the actual charge?  They could have been done for B&E at the very least.

They were charged with criminal damage and affray but their defence was that by their actions they were attempting to prevent crimes such as the Qana massacre (2006) in which the Israelis used Raytheon missiles to kill 28 people. There's been a gagging order in place during the trial, presumably to save someones blushes, so not many details have been given out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Qana_airstrike

To be honest from talking to some involved their defence seemed interesting to say the least.  Also seemed very technical would have been interesting to see if it would have held up.

[Donagh]

To be honest from talking to some involved their defence seemed interesting to say the least.  Also seemed very technical would have been interesting to see if it would have held up.

Would like to hear it myself David. Ridiculously it's not being reported on the local news.

[Donagh]

RAYTHEON 9 PROSECUTION COLLAPSES

JUDGE THROWS CASE OUT

At Belfast Laganside court today, the trial of the Raytheon Nine collapsed when the judge threw it out for lack of evidence. The trial of the raytheon Nine has collapsed. The defendents from Derry Anti War Coalition walked free after the judge dismissed the case for lack of evidence.Throughout the trial the Nine have maintained that their actions were legitimate as an attempt to prevent war crimes.The judge was forced to concede this when he stated that the defendents had acted to prevent destruction in Lebanon.This is a major victory and vindication of the action of the Derry Anti War Coalition and the Raytheon Nine. The development began to emerge yesterday when, bizarrely, the barrister for the Crown conceded that the 9 were genuine in their belief that Raytheon were active in supplying the US and Israeli war machines in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon and that sabotaging Raytheon's equipment would disrupt that supply. What the Crown was then asking the jury to do was convict on the strength of the evidence, whether, at the moment of entering Raytheon, the 9 had smashed computers out of anger and wanton destructiveness. barristers for the 9 petitioned the judge to dismiss the case as this was something the jury could not find, given that the Crown had already conceded that they had gone in there with the intention to sabotage in order to disrupt the supply chain. the Judge evidently agreed. The crown have until tomorrow to decide whether to appeal or not.

[David McKeown]

RAYTHEON 9 PROSECUTION COLLAPSES

JUDGE THROWS CASE OUT

At Belfast Laganside court today, the trial of the Raytheon Nine collapsed when the judge threw it out for lack of evidence. The trial of the raytheon Nine has collapsed. The defendents from Derry Anti War Coalition walked free after the judge dismissed the case for lack of evidence.Throughout the trial the Nine have maintained that their actions were legitimate as an attempt to prevent war crimes.The judge was forced to concede this when he stated that the defendents had acted to prevent destruction in Lebanon.This is a major victory and vindication of the action of the Derry Anti War Coalition and the Raytheon Nine. The development began to emerge yesterday when, bizarrely, the barrister for the Crown conceded that the 9 were genuine in their belief that Raytheon were active in supplying the US and Israeli war machines in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon and that sabotaging Raytheon's equipment would disrupt that supply. What the Crown was then asking the jury to do was convict on the strength of the evidence, whether, at the moment of entering Raytheon, the 9 had smashed computers out of anger and wanton destructiveness. barristers for the 9 petitioned the judge to dismiss the case as this was something the jury could not find, given that the Crown had already conceded that they had gone in there with the intention to sabotage in order to disrupt the supply chain. the Judge evidently agreed. The crown have until tomorrow to decide whether to appeal or not.

I see the appeal is listed for tomorrow afternoon, might see if I can get into that if im free

[David McKeown]

Appeal granted so back to the crown court we go

[Donagh]

Appeal granted so back to the crown court we go

Who granted the appeal - Kerr?

[Orior]

How many jobs were lost to East Belfast because of this shut down?

[David McKeown]

Appeal granted so back to the crown court we go

Who granted the appeal - Kerr?

It was the Lord Chief sitting with Lord Justice Campbell and Lord Justice Higgins who granted it