Kathmandu— Seven Palestine Action activists face charges including malicious damage with a “terrorist connection” stemming from a protest last year at the Trump Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, Scotland, according to reports. The activists spray-painted messages supporting Gaza and damaged parts of the course to demonstrate against former US President Donald Trump’s policies regarding the region. An initial hearing is scheduled for August 31st at the High Court in Glasgow, where prosecutors may seek “terror-scale” sentencing. The charges come after the UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group and following recent US sanctions targeting the organization and related groups.

Protest Details and Charges

The protest took place on March 8, 2025, with activists spray-painting red paint on the clubhouse, damaging turf and sprinklers, applying weedkiller to the greens, and writing “Gaza is not 4 sale” on the property. While initially charged under ordinary criminal law for malicious damage, prosecutors have now added a claim that the acts were “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection,” as detailed in a 16-page indictment.

Government Crackdown and Activist Response

Palestine Action has been engaged in a legal battle with the UK government since being proscribed as a “terrorist” group last year. Huda Ammori, a cofounder of Palestine Action, stated that the charges are an attempt to appease Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We used direct action protests to save lives – the opposite of terrorism – by disrupting the flow of arms being used to murder Palestinians," she said in a statement.

International Condemnation and Political Criticism

The United States recently imposed sanctions on Palestine Action and Masar Badil, an international pro-Palestine movement. This move comes as part of what is described as an intensifying global crackdown on critics of Israel. John McDonnell, a British Labour MP, criticized the potential “terror” link in the charges, calling it profoundly embarrassing for Britain. He urged Andy Burnham to reverse the ban and prevent its adoption by other repressive governments.

US Sanctions Expand Scope

The US Department of the Treasury also levied financial penalties against Autistici Inventati, an Italian group providing digital services to left-wing organizations, including those supporting Palestine.

The case is set to be heard at the High Court in Glasgow on August 31st, and the potential for “terrorist” sentencing has drawn significant criticism from political figures and activists.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.