Trump Turnberry activists face ‘terrorist connection’ charges

Seven activists from the group Palestine Action face charges of malicious damage with an alleged ‘terrorist connection’ following a protest at Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. The incident, which occurred on March 8, 2025, involved activists spray-painting slogans such as ‘Gaza is not 4 sale’ and ‘Free Palestine’ on the clubhouse and grounds, digging up turf, spraying glyphosate on fairways and greens, and damaging the irrigation system.

Prosecutors intend to argue that the offences were aggravated by a terrorist connection, a move that could lead to significantly harsher sentences. Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization in the United Kingdom last year and was also designated as such by the United States.

The defendants—Kieran Robson, Uzma Bashir, Ricky Southall, Autumn Taylor Ward, Rebecca Sian Davies, John Moxley, and Dylan Chiaramello—were scheduled for a hearing in Glasgow, which has been adjourned to October. Some defendants also face charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by using vehicles with false registration numbers.