Seven Charged Over Damage to Trump’s Scottish Golf Course, Prosecutors Cite ‘Terrorist Connection’

LONDON: Seven people have been charged with damaging U.S. President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, with prosecutors alleging that the offences were aggravated by a “terrorist connection.”

The charges relate to an incident at the luxury resort in Ayrshire on March 8, 2025, when the golf course and clubhouse were allegedly targeted with political graffiti and other forms of vandalism. The damage included spray-painted slogans supporting the Palestinian cause, destruction of sections of the golf course and the use of weed killer on the grounds.

The seven accused are Kieran Robson, Uzma Bashir, Ricky Southall, Autumn Taylor Ward, Rebecca Sian Davies, John Moxley and Dylan Chiaramello. They are due to appear in court on August 31.

Prosecutors have described the alleged offences as malicious damage aggravated by a connection to terrorism. The designation could result in more severe sentences if the defendants are convicted.

The accused have been linked to Palestine Action, a group that was formally proscribed by the British government under terrorism legislation in July 2025. The group has rejected the characterization of its activities as terrorism, while supporters of the defendants have argued that applying terrorism-related provisions to protest activity represents an excessive restriction on freedom of expression.

The Turnberry incident involved extensive damage to the resort, including graffiti on buildings and the golf course, damage to a sprinkler system and flooding of parts of the premises, according to the indictment. The slogans included references to Gaza and Palestine.

The case comes amid wider legal controversy in Britain over the use of terrorism legislation against members and supporters of Palestine Action. Earlier this year, four activists received lengthy prison sentences after being convicted over an attack on a facility operated by Israeli defence company Elbit Systems, with the court finding a terrorism connection.

Human rights groups and civil liberties campaigners have criticized the use of terrorism-related aggravating factors in protest cases, arguing that such measures could have implications for legitimate political activism.

The Turnberry case is expected to draw further attention to the boundary between political protest, criminal damage and terrorism-related offences as proceedings begin in Scotland.