Pink Floyd guitarist calls for Powys protestor release

Pink Floyd’s lead guitarist Roger Waters and comedian Alexei Sayle are among the signatories to an open letter demanding the release of members of the group Palestine Action who are currently in prison and who are currently facing charges.

Among them are four people who were jailed last month for conspiracy to cause criminal damage at the Teledyne Labtech factory in Presteigne, which they insisted was producing parts which were used in weapons purchased by the Israeli military.

Others notable people to sign the letter were Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela and former Labour MP Chris Williamson.

READ MORE: Presteigne, Powys factory protestors jailed for £320k damage

Ruth Hogg, 40, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment. Susan Bagshaw, 65, Morwenna Grey, 41, Tristan Dixon, 34 and were each handed 23 months in custody.

Pink Floyd guitarist Roger Waters is one of the well known names who signed the letter (Image: PA)

In a statement Palestine action insist that the four are “heroes”.

In the open letter they “demand the charges are dropped against those already incarcerated” and and for the charges to be dropped against all those facing sentences for “simply doing what is necessary”.

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The judge said in his comments during sentencing that Hogg, Bagshaw, Grey and Dixon had partaken in an “episode of destruction” - causing around £320,000 worth of damage.

This involved smashing computer equipment, monitors and furniture, and spraying paint on machinery.

Alexei Sayle has also put his name to the letter

Paint was driven into the mechanisms of hot running equipment, and flares were lit near acid and alkaline baths. In the chemical processing area, alkaline bath covers were also smashed, causing fumes to leak from them.

Hogg and Dixon later climbed on to the roof, equipped with a sledgehammer, crowbar and a drill. Dixon damaged the roof by smashing 17 skylight windows, causing glass to shower down on to the factory floor and they also drilled holes in the roof and were later arrested by police when they cam down from the roof.

Grey and Bagshaw attempted to flee the scene, but were apprehended by staff members and were later arrested by the police.

As a result of the incident, Teledyne Labtech Ltd was also forced to secure the facility, at a further cost of around £900,000.

The printed circuit boards (PCBs) designed at the factory are commonly used in MRI scanners in hospitals, radars in planes and satellite antennas.

During the trial it was revealed the group had believed that the PCBs were also being sold to "third parties" who used them to manufacture missiles and other military hardware - which, they claimed, was used in the Israel-Palestine conflict and in the war in Yemen.

All four defendants expressed remorse for their actions, and vowed not to engage in such behaviour in the future. They had sent a letter to the judge expressing remorse over the incident.