There have been media reports today in the UK of a terror suspect awaiting trial. Babar Ahmad has been held for seven years without trial. Mr Ahmad in an exclusive interview with the BBC has accused the police and prosecutors of mishandling his case.
He has been fighting extradition to the US, hence his long incarceration.Current Home Secretary Theresa May has recently happily signed extradition orders for UK citizens, which have resulted in most being dispatched to the US for trial.
Mr Ahmad is due to find out April 10, 2012, whether he will be tried in the US or not. The BBC report states "The Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service have denied impropriety. The unprecedented interview in the maximum security Long Lartin Prison came after the BBC challenged a government ban on filming Mr Ahmad. The High Court ruled that there was an overwhelming public interest in hearing Mr Ahmad discuss his case, because of his unique situation.
"I have been in prison now for nearly eight years without trial," Mr Ahmad said. "I am facing extradition to the US to spend the rest of my life in solitary confinement. I have never been questioned about the allegations against me. "I do not hold the Americans responsible for anything that has happened to me, but I think it is fair to say that I am fighting for my life - and I am running out of time."
The 37-year-old from Tooting in south London was arrested in 2004 on an extradition warrant from the United States.The BBC fought a High Court battle to allow Mr Ahmad to be interviewed. US prosecutors say he headed a terrorist "support cell" in London through a website called Azzam.com. He faces life imprisonment if convicted. Scotland Yard had arrested Mr Ahmad the previous year, but released him without charge."
Full story and more
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17614935
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17627107
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17627108
Opinion: How a person can serve more than serve years in jail without trial beggars belief. What has happened to UK justice?
He has been fighting extradition to the US, hence his long incarceration.Current Home Secretary Theresa May has recently happily signed extradition orders for UK citizens, which have resulted in most being dispatched to the US for trial.
Mr Ahmad is due to find out April 10, 2012, whether he will be tried in the US or not. The BBC report states "The Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service have denied impropriety. The unprecedented interview in the maximum security Long Lartin Prison came after the BBC challenged a government ban on filming Mr Ahmad. The High Court ruled that there was an overwhelming public interest in hearing Mr Ahmad discuss his case, because of his unique situation.
"I have been in prison now for nearly eight years without trial," Mr Ahmad said. "I am facing extradition to the US to spend the rest of my life in solitary confinement. I have never been questioned about the allegations against me. "I do not hold the Americans responsible for anything that has happened to me, but I think it is fair to say that I am fighting for my life - and I am running out of time."
The 37-year-old from Tooting in south London was arrested in 2004 on an extradition warrant from the United States.The BBC fought a High Court battle to allow Mr Ahmad to be interviewed. US prosecutors say he headed a terrorist "support cell" in London through a website called Azzam.com. He faces life imprisonment if convicted. Scotland Yard had arrested Mr Ahmad the previous year, but released him without charge."
Full story and more
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17614935
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17627107
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17627108
Opinion: How a person can serve more than serve years in jail without trial beggars belief. What has happened to UK justice?
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