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A prominent human rights lawyer in the United Kingdom has been charged with criminal contempt for his closing speech in the trial of his client, Charlotte “Lottie” Head, one of four Palestine Action activists who were sentenced as terrorists over their involvement in a 2024 protest and raid on an Israeli weapons factory. Their sentencing marked the first time a British judge issued terrorism sentencing enhancements on people who were not actually convicted of terrorism. An additional 21 currently jailed Palestine Action protesters could face similar sentences, which carry multiyear prison terms.

The charges against Rajiv Menon are similarly unprecedented in British legal history. He is accused of encouraging a jury to acquit Head according to their conscience. Menon denies this accusation and says he was simply informing the jury of a prior legal case. He adds that, along with the U.K. government’s ban on Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws, the case against him is intended to have a “chilling effect” against pro-Palestine protest, and carries “serious constitutional implications.”

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org. I’m Amy Goodman, with Anjali Kamat.

ANJALI KAMAT: We turn now to the case of a leading human rights attorney in Britain who is facing criminal charges himself over his representation of a client in court. Rajiv Menon KC, King’s Counsel, is accused of criminal contempt over his closing speech at the trial of six Palestine Action activists for their direct action protest at a weapons factory owned by Elbit Systems, a supplier of arms to Israel, in Filton in August of 2024. Menon is being accused of misleading the jury and ignoring the judge’s directions in his remarks. He is believed to be the first defense attorney in Britain to be prosecuted over statements in a closing speech.

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Mr. Justice [Nicklin]’s court order read in part, quote, “the respondent made statements which were capable of suggesting to the jury that the court was not impartial, in that he referred to the defendants being prevented from giving evidence about Elbit Systems, and later referred to Elbit Systems being ’protected’ and ‘wined and dined in the corridors of power.’”

AMY GOODMAN: Garden Court Chambers, where Menon has worked as a barrister for 30 years, said the charges brought against him were unprecedented and have, quote, “sent shockwaves through the legal profession,” unquote. The chair of the Criminal Bar Association has said the charges have left attorneys afraid of doing their jobs. Amnesty International said, quote, “The prosecution of Palestine Action lawyer, Rajiv Menon KC, is a serious threat to fair trial rights and the right to protest,” unquote.

For more, we’re joined by Rajiv Menon KC himself in his first television broadcast interview since the charges were brought. He’s joining us from London, where Democracy Now! just was.

Thanks so much for being with us. Why have you decided to speak out? In fact, you encourage your clients, Palestine Action protesters, not to speak directly to the press, is that right? And yet, now you’re the focus of the court.

RAJIV MENON: Firstly, thank you for inviting me.

I’ve decided to speak out because for the last few months a number of senior judges in this country have decided to make the most serious allegations against me in public, publishing those allegations on the Judicial Office website. And, of course, you’ve already highlighted the fact that I’m the first lawyer, as far as I’m aware, as far as my lawyers are aware, ever to be prosecuted for contempt of court in this — in British legal history. And I just feel that it’s important that I have a voice in this and that I at least address some of the matters in general terms that I’m accused of, as opposed to simply waiting, you know, for my opportunity in court months from now to say what I need to say.

ANJALI KAMAT: And, Rajiv, can you explain what the — why these contempt charges are being brought against you? What exactly did you say that was considered contempt of court?

RAJIV MENON: So, I made a closing speech in a Palestine Action protest case, as you said, on the 8th of January this year on behalf of my client Charlotte Head, who was one of those engaged in direct action against the Elbit Systems factory. And the judge subsequently made seven specific allegations of contempt against me. I’m — probably not wise for me to go into the full detail of that, but suffice to say, perhaps, that I categorically deny deliberately breaching any judicial order, and, as far as I’m aware, as far as I believe, didn’t inadvertently breach any order, either. I mean, contempt of court is a complicated jurisdiction, but, in essence, it involves a serious interference with the administration of justice. And I categorically deny........

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