BABAR AHMAD'S CASE ON LIVE SATELLITE TV

Babar's father, Ashfaq Ahmad and Dr Adnan Siddiqui, the doctor who examined him in December 2003, were interviewed by Islam Channel on Sunday 12 th December, 2130 hrs GMT. The hour-long talk show, “Ummah Talk”, also received calls from the viewers with various questions and comments regarding Babar's case.

Dr Siddiqui, who is also the Official Spokesperson for the Stop Political Terror (SPT) Campaign spoke about his initial shock when he first saw Babar's injuries in police custody. He called it his “Abu Ghraib moment”, witnessing a victim of abuse by the authorities. Dr Siddiqui also talked about how SPT was initially set up after Babar's abuse at the hands of the police and has since publicised political abuses throughout the UK.

Mr Ahmad spoke about Babar's background and how his mother had always taught him to be a law abiding upright citizen of this country. He talked about how day to day life was getting difficult for the family without Babar. At one point he was moved to tears when he spoke about how Babar's wife had been tirelessly campaigning for her husband's cause and trying to cope without him. Mr Ahmad also showed the original document of the 1970's Empire State Building brochure that was taken from his house during the raids. The authorities claim that Babar had been plotting an attack on the Empire State Building in New York. Mr Ahmad pointed out that it was he who actually travelled to New York before Babar was even born and obtained the brochure.

Several viewers phoned in with messages of support for the Ahmad family and questions regarding the situation of Muslims in the UK. One caller, an English revert, commented on the importance of Muslims speaking out and not allowing themselves to be intimidated. Another caller asked about what had happened to the police officers who abused Babar and details of the Extradition Treaty. Many callers were moved by what they had heard and expressed their desire to help in the campaign.

Free Babar Ahmad

13 th December 2004