Two women from Somerset were among 13 people arrested during a silent protest outside the BBC building in Cardiff on Saturday 12 July.

They now face potential terrorism charges carrying sentences of up to 14 years.

Marianne Sorrell, 80, and Trisha Fine, 75, both from Wells, were detained under suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, the first direct action group to be banned under UK anti-terror legislation. The group of demonstrators held handwritten placards that read: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action."

The one-hour protest had been peaceful and its timing had reportedly been communicated to police in advance. Arrests took place five minutes before the scheduled end.

Both women are retired teachers and long-standing volunteers in their local community. Sorrell is involved in sustainability initiatives and is a former Oxfam shop worker. Fine helps run the Repair Café and coordinates the Neighbourhood Watch. They are active members of Mendip Friends of Palestine.

Following their arrest, the women were held in custody for 27 hours and moved between three police stations. They were later released under strict bail conditions, including a prohibition on contacting each other and a ban on spending nights away from home. Fine said the restrictions had forced the cancellation of two planned holidays with her husband, who is recovering from cancer treatment.

While Sorrell was in custody, her home was searched by approximately ten officers who entered via the back door and replaced the lock. The three-hour search involved the use of swabs on kitchen items and what appeared to be a Geiger counter. Officers removed 19 items including iPads, a Palestine flag, books, climate-related literature, and drum accessories.

"I've been very traumatised by this," Sorrell told The Guardian. "At 80, to be treated like a dangerous terrorist is deeply shocking. Every morning I wake up feeling sick, nauseous." She added that none of the confiscated items were illegal.

Fine also reported distressing treatment in custody, including being denied access to antibiotics for a serious gum infection and not having her husband informed of her arrest as promised. Both women gave "no comment" interviews and were questioned about their knowledge of and support for violence.

Critics have described the police response as disproportionate, and campaigners have highlighted inconsistencies in how the law is being applied across the UK. They argue that similar demonstrations elsewhere have not resulted in arrests.

Mendip TUC, which counts Sorrell among its delegates, issued a statement of support: "We stand firmly in solidarity with the 13 peaceful protesters arrested in Cardiff, including one of our own Mendip TUC delegates Marianne Sorrell. The disproportionate police response and misuse of counter-terrorism legislation against citizens engaged in non-violent expression of conscience are deeply troubling and undermine the fundamental principles of democracy.

"Mendip TUC condemns the criminalisation of peaceful protest and calls for an urgent review of how such laws are applied. We reaffirm our commitment to civil liberties, freedom of speech, and the right to dissent without fear of persecution."

Sorrell added: "If I'm put in prison for this, and even if I die in prison for this, I can't think of a better thing to die for really than for the justice of the people who've been persecuted now for almost my lifetime."

South Wales Police did not respond directly to the concerns raised. A spokesperson said the investigation, led by Welsh counter-terrorism officers, is ongoing.