> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://aontachtmedia.ie/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Trial Of Anti-Imperialist Activists Over Belgian Embassy Anti-NATO Protest Pushed Back Due To Solicitor’s Strike - URL: https://aontachtmedia.ie/trial-of-anti-imperialist-activists-over-belgian-embassy-anti-nato-protest-pushed-back-due-to-solicitors-strike/ - Published: 2026-10-09T13:43:53.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-09T13:43:53.000Z - Description: Anti-imperialist activists and socialist republicans blockaded the embassy for a brief period of time, before being violently removed, dragged into vans and arrested by the Gardaí. They were pepper-sprayed directly in their faces, and one had their leg broken. - Author: Laszlo Molnarfi - Tags: News Today, at the Criminal Courts Of Justice, 2 activists from Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland (AIA) and Action For Palestine Ireland (AFPI) were due to be on trial over an anti-NATO protest which took place in April 2025 at the Belgian embassy in Dublin. However, it has been pushed back to 16th of February 2027 due to the ongoing solicitors’ strike over FFG austerity policies. Anti-imperialist activists and socialist republicans blockaded the embassy for a brief period of time, before being violently removed, dragged into vans and arrested by the Gardaí. They were pepper-sprayed directly in their faces, and due to the brutal nature of their arrest, a comrade from AIA had one leg broken. The activists, who targeted the embassy as it is also the NATO headquarters in Ireland are charged with various public order offences. The aim was to protest the unwanted presence of NATO in Ireland, highlight NATO’s central role in the ongoing British occupation of Ireland and the U.S. military occupation of Shannon Airport and to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and resistance, demonstrating how the fight against NATO links the national liberation struggles in Ireland and Palestine. "Today Republicans and Anti Imperialists made a defiant and dignified stand to resist the presence of NATO in Ireland and to highlight its role in the Occupation of our country and of Palestine", AIA said at the time, [speaking at the time to Anti-Imperialist Front](http://anti-imperialistfront.org/irish-police-brutality-targetedanti-nato-protest-in-dublin/?ref=aontachtmedia.ie), an international solidarity organisation which also raises awareness about anti-war political prisoners in the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian war. "That dignified protest was confronted by a violent attack by the Free State Police, which has resulted in serious injury, in order to intimidate and attempt to prevent future protests. Such tactics will never work against Republicans and we remain defiant, " they went on to state. "The fact is that NATO has no right to be in Ireland. NATO is playing a key role in the British Occupation of Ireland, the US Military Occupation of Shannon and the Zionist Occupation and Genocide in Palestine. Republicans and the Irish People have every right to resist the presence of NATO in our country and AIA is committed to continuing to build the campaign and organise more and more direct actions against NATO in Ireland, " they concluded. ![](https://aontachtmedia.ie/content/images/2026/10/signal-2025-04-06-115431-1-139x300-1.jpeg) ![](https://aontachtmedia.ie/content/images/2026/10/signal-2025-04-06-115431-139x300-1.jpeg) ![](https://aontachtmedia.ie/content/images/2026/10/signal-2025-04-05-11-49-05-947-139x300-1.jpg) ![](https://aontachtmedia.ie/content/images/2026/10/signal-2025-04-06-115431-4-225x300-1.jpeg) ![](https://aontachtmedia.ie/content/images/2026/10/signal-2025-04-06-115431-5-225x300-1.jpeg) April 2025 Gardaí brutality against anti-imperialist activists at the Belgian embassy in Dublin The heavy-handedness of the Gardaí has been the subject of criticism, with the group arguing that it serves as an example of FFG's subservience to foreign powers and the intensifying persecution of republicans across the island. At least 15 supporters of the arrested were in court today after a callout was made for support yesterday evening by AFPI. The Gardaí were seen to be fuming at the sight of the support. This was especially evident when the bloc left the courtroom as one. The defendants are appealing the outcome of their original hearing in July 2025, which was a conviction to be served through community service and fines. Others who were arrested at the same protest already had their convictions squashed. "Free State police arrived within minutes and pepper sprayed everyone directly in their face and broke the leg of an AIA comrade. The brutal repression shows just how important and protected NATO is to the Free State government", the AFPI stated on social media in their [callout](https://www.instagram.com/p/DePA0-qOxIa/?ref=aontachtmedia.ie). The State, that is to say, the Gardaí, have failed to turn up 3 times already. As such, the activists asked for the case to be struck, but the judge refused this request. He stated that if there is a no-show at the actual hearing, the case will be dismissed. At least 10 Gardaí are present in the room for all those who are due to show up in court today. This includes defendants unrelated to the case at hand. They are all being pushed back due to the ongoing strike caused by FFG Minister For Justice Jim O'Callaghan's austerity cuts to solicitor pay. In an ironic twist, the proceedings did not go ahead against the activists either.