Hodge Jones & Allen

PRESS RELEASE issued by Raj Chada, Hodge Jones & Allen LLP

 

Tuesday 4th October 2011

 

Nine defendants were acquitted yesterday after a highly charged political trial involving a group of antifacist activists.

 

The activists had been charged with conspiracy to cause violent disorder in relation to an incident that occurred in March 2009. The defendants had been trying to attend a peaceful picket against a gig by the neo nazi group Blood and Honour (1). The gig took place in Welling and around 30 activists travelled to Welling to protest. At Welling Station, violence did erupt which resulted in a confirmed neo nazi being injured.

 

However, rather than isolate the individuals actually engaged in the violence, the prosecution decided to widen the net to “conspiracy” and in effect accused anyone who travelled to Welling of being part of a criminal conspiracy. Following a trial of 3 weeks, in the second trial the jury took under one hour to return not guilty verdicts in relation to this incident (2). It is not clear of the exact cost of this prosecution which has resulted in only 7 convictions of the 23 originally pursued. The cross examination of the defendants often centred around their political beliefs and activism.

 

Raj Chada, of Hodge Jones Allen solicitors (3), the advocate representing one of the defendants said “I am delighted that the defendants in this case have been vindicated. Many activists wish to continue to protest against the activities of the far right in a peaceful and lawful way. This was part of a clear tactic on the part of the police to discredit, tarnish and perhaps even break the wider anti-fascist activist movement”.

 

 

Samira Noor Khan, another partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, representing six of the defendants, also commented: “This investigation and proceedings has lasted over 2 ½ years. As a consequence, my clients have lost their employment, suffered severe financial difficulties, not to mention the stress and uncertainty about their future. As a further consequence the left wing protest movement activities severely curtailed, whilst right wing fascist movements in U.K. have grown – many of those arrested were targeted by fascists because of their beliefs. I am obviously very pleased with this result we have obtained, but at what cost has this been to the public purse?”

 

The jury took just over 5 minutes per defendant to reach a verdict. The verdicts themselves were greeted with loud applause and cheering from the public gallery.

 

-- Ends --

 

Notes for editors

 

(1) Blood and Honour is an extreme right wing group with offensive songs and lyrics.

(2) The first trial in relation to this matter resulted in 7 convictions and 4 acquittals.

(3) Hodge Jones Allen represented a total of 6 defendants in both trials, 4 of whom were acquitted.

 

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP has one of the largest criminal defence teams in London. The team has specialist protest law solicitors, which represents a number of groups and individuals who are arrested at demonstrations. Recent cases where Hodge Jones & Allen has represented clients include G20 London on 1st April 2009, where we successfully represented everyone who was arrested, including the 'Space Hijackers' who drove a mock tank into the City of London; DSEi (2009 and 2011); the Libyan Embassy protest (2011); and the TUC anti-cuts protest (2011).

 

For further information, please contact Raj Chada on 020 7874 8367.