Four activists imprisoned for alleged offences linked to the Palestine Action protest group have pledged to continue their hunger strike, their families have confirmed, as lawyers issue a stark warning that their lives are in immediate danger.
Legal Challenge to Justice Secretary
In a dramatic escalation, legal representatives for the eight hunger strikers have submitted a pre-action letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy. The letter, filed on Monday, demands an urgent response within 24 hours and calls for a meeting, stating the matter is one of critical urgency as "our clients' health continues to deteriorate, such that the risk of their dying increases every day." According to the support group Prisoners for Palestine, the government has yet to respond.
The protesters are demanding the lifting of a terror ban imposed on Palestine Action. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson responded, stating: "We strongly refute these claims. We want these prisoners to accept support and get better, and we will not create perverse incentives that would encourage more people to put themselves at risk through hunger strikes."
Deteriorating Health of Protesters
Of the original eight activists who began refusing food while awaiting trial, four are now maintaining their protest. The remaining four have paused their action due to severe health concerns.
The individuals still on hunger strike are identified as Teuta Hoxha, Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello. Heba Muraisi has reportedly gone without food for over 50 days, while Kamran Ahmed and Teuta Hoxha have both been striking for more than 45 days. Chiaramello is fasting intermittently due to a pre-existing health condition.
Family members have described alarming physical declines. Rahma, sister of Teuta Hoxha, said she is losing an "enormous amount of weight", struggles to speak, suffers constant headaches, and experiences heart palpitations. Kamran Ahmed's sister, Shahmina Alam, told Sky News her brother's "spirit is strong" but confirmed he has been moved to cells near a nurse's station for emergency monitoring.
Last week, two strikers—28-year-old Kamran Ahmed from Pentonville and 30-year-old Amu Gib from HMP Bronzefield—were admitted to hospital. Emergency physician Dr James Smith publicly warned that some activists "are dying" and require specialist medical intervention.
Background of the Cases and Government Stance
The activists face serious charges related to protests targeting organisations with links to Israel. Four are accused of involvement in a break-in at the UK premises of Israeli defence technology firm Elbit Systems and are scheduled for trial no earlier than May next year. The other four are charged with breaking into RAF Brize Norton in June, where they allegedly sprayed red paint on two RAF Voyager aircraft, causing millions of pounds in damage.
The government maintains that established procedures are being followed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that "rules and procedures" are in place, while Prisons Minister Lord Timpson asserted the service is "very experienced" at managing hunger strikes with "robust and working" systems, adding that the Prison Service "will not be meeting" any prisoners or their representatives.
The protest has drawn significant attention, including the arrest of climate activist Greta Thunberg at a demonstration in support of the hunger strikers earlier this week.
