Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been labelled 'disgusting' by political opponents after appearing to celebrate the outcome of a high-profile court case involving Palestine Action protesters. The controversy stems from his social media activity following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court, where a jury failed to reach verdicts on several charges against six defendants accused of targeting an Israeli defence firm's factory in Bristol.
Details of the Incident and Trial
The court heard that during a break-in at the Elbit Systems facility last year, Police Sergeant Kate Evans was struck with a sledgehammer, resulting in a fractured spine that left her unable to work for three months. Sergeant Evans testified that she believed her spine was 'shattered' when she was hit in the lower back while kneeling to make an arrest.
Among the defendants was Samuel Corner, a 23-year-old Oxford-educated mathematician, linguist, and philosopher, who faced charges of grievous bodily harm. His legal representatives argued in court that Corner was a 'gentle man' who acted to protect fellow activists and did not cause 'really serious harm'.
Jury Deliberations and Verdicts
After a lengthy 12-week trial and more than 36 hours of deliberation, the jury cleared all six defendants—Samuel Corner, Charlotte Head, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers, and Jordan Devlin—of aggravated burglary. Additionally, Ms Rajwani, Ms Rogers, and Mr Devlin were found not guilty of violent disorder.
However, the jury could not reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage against all six defendants, and no verdict was reached on violent disorder charges against Ms Head, Mr Corner, and Ms Kamio. Following the trial, all defendants except Mr Corner were granted conditional bail.
Political Reaction and Social Media Controversy
In response to the trial's outcome, Mr Polanski retweeted a post from Craig Murray, a former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan who has become known for conspiracy theories. Murray questioned the severity of Sergeant Evans's injuries, suggesting the account might be a 'lie' fabricated to justify proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
Mr Polanski added his own commentary, stating: 'Pleased to see the jury make this decision. We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries. People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here—it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.'
Strong Condemnation from Political Figures
Tory shadow minister Neil O'Brien led the criticism, stating: 'A female police officer had her spine smashed with a sledgehammer from behind and the Greens are jubilant they got off. These people are beyond disgusting.' This sentiment reflects broader concerns about the tone of political discourse and the treatment of law enforcement officers.
Mr Polanski declined to comment further when approached by media outlets, leaving the controversy to simmer amid ongoing debates about protest rights, police safety, and the ethical boundaries of political advocacy.
