M Arani, solicitor for Babar Ahmad, gives a statement outside the Old Bailey Criminal Courts

This statement was made in response to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stating Babar Ahmad violently resisted arrest in December 2003. This is the first time in writing that the CPS have stated this in response to the complaint which was filed against the Metropolitan Police Service for torturing Babar on 02 December 2003.

Why are you here today outside the Old Bailey Criminal Courts?

I am here today in order to discuss Babar Ahmad's case as the CPS have written a letter confirming the fact that apparently the police officers are alleging that Babar resisted arrest on 02 December 2003. As a result of that it is alleged that he received the injuries that he sustained, when we know that is certainly not the case. The reason why I say it is not the case is because on 02 December 2003 when Babar Ahmad was assaulted at the time of arrest, I filed a formal complaint to the Police officers. I also took photographs of the injuries and also stated to the Police officers that I wish to file a formal complaint for assaulting my client. Thereafter an application was made before District Judge Walkman whereby the officers were seeking further extension for Babar Ahmad staying in Police custody. What happened at the time the application was being made before the courts was that the Police officers made representations to the judge stating that the injuries that Babar Ahmad had sustained were old injuries, when we know that was certainly not the case.

Now we are being informed by the CPS that those injuries were sustained on Babar Ahmad as a result of him resisting arrest. Now clearly either mis-representations were made to the judge, at the time when the application for the warrant of further detention was obtained, or the officers are lying at this stage and there appears to be a cover up that is taking place. That is concerning me immensely and also the CPS do not have the decency to respond to any of the correspondence that I have been writing to them in relation to the assault. Why is the CPS not instigating proceedings against the Police officers who carried out the assault against Babar? Instead letters are being sent out to third parties and it is these letters which have made us aware of what the CPS are actually alleging. If their case is that the Police officers assaulted Babar as a result of Babar resisting arrest I would like to know why is it that I was not notified of this at the time or thereafter? Why was it that this was never brought to the Judges' notice? Why was it that no officers stated that he had to be restrained as a result of him being difficult towards the officers? Why was it that no medical evidence has been produced to date confirming the fact of what injuries the officers sustained? And why have they not had the decency to notify us of this?

Another issue that concerns me is when Stop Police Terror were carrying out a campaign on behalf of Babar Ahmad, as a result of the assault, I know for a fact that Police officers were stating to various organisations who were allowing the conferences to take place that Babar Ahmad's case should not be mentioned as they found it very embarrassing. There were active attempts being made to ensure that nobody discussed Babar Ahmad's case. I had to make telephone calls to Special Branch officers in order to ensure that conferences were not being jeopardised and pressure was not being put on various venues where the conferences were being held. As a result, Special Branch officers had to make telephone calls to various people at mosques in order to ensure that the conferences could go ahead. This shows that there is a lot of political pressure being placed in order to ensure that Babar Ahmad's case is not highlighted in the public domain and that there is a cover up that is taking place. That is a sad state of affairs.

What are you going to do now in light of what the CPS have stated?

I am going to write to the CPS in order to obtain confirmation and demand why I have not been provided with an explanation myself and also will be seeking advice from Council in order for us to see if we can judicially review the CPS's decision, as the decision as far as we are concerned is wrong. I expect the CPS to prosecute the Police officers in relation to this matter. They have been provided with a substantial amount of evidence. If a member of the public had assaulted somebody they would also be facing criminal charges. Why these officers are not facing criminal charges is beyond me.

What injuries did Babar Ahmad sustain in December 2003?

Babar Ahmad sustained over 50 injuries to his body and he also suffers from memory loss as a result of the assault that took place, so he has permanent damage there. It is very important for an individual to know that they can have access to justice. That is what is being demanded on his behalf.