Statement by Ashfaq Ahmad 18/11/2004

First of all I would like to thank all these supporters who have protested against the Extradition of my son Babar Ahmad to the United States. The Extradition Trial has begun today, but we will fight to deny the U.S from destroying the life of an innocent young man.

We are appalled by the One-Way system whereby a British Citizen can be extradited to the U.S without the need to provide any evidence to support the extradition request. Babar Ahmad’s trial is a test case. It is the first time in British legal history when a UK citizen has been the subject of an Extradition order of this type.

A number of MP’s have strongly criticised this unilateral Extradition Act 2003. Lord Goodhart of the Liberal Democratic Party has described this Act as “unjust” and “unconstitutional”. Our MP, Tom Cox, has also criticised the way this case has been treated so far to the Home Secretary.

The basis of my son’s extradition case relies on “so-called” evidence obtained and provided by the British authorities to the U.S.

For example, the British Police found a 1970’s tourist brochure of The Empire State Building when they raided my house. I was the one who visited New York in 1973 where I obtained this brochure. I also have photographs of myself on top of this building. I cannot see how relevant this brochure is to my son, who was not even born at the time! Surely if someone were to plan an attack on such a building, such as is alleged my son planned to, would they not have used modern science and technology, rather than rely upon this 31-year-old tourist brochure.

Another example of this “so-called” evidence against my son is a 9/11 DVD. It has been described in the affidavit as a “pro 9/11 DVD”. The truth is that this DVD is widely available in the shops and was even broadcast on BBC television. Furthermore, the proceeds from the sales of this DVD went to the Fire Fighters Union in New York.

If the above examples are truly relevant to my son’s case, then I request the authorities give Babar Ahmad a fair and open trial in the UK.

On 2nd December 2004, it will be exactly one year since Babar Ahmad was arrested and tortured by the British Anti Terrorist police. He was released without charge after six days. To date, NO officer has been suspended or charged for the brutal and savage attack on my son. This is injustice. I think the police officers who assaulted my son, should have been on trial today.

Likewise, placing my son on an Extradition Warrant to the US is wrong and it too amounts to gross injustice. The Muslim Community is worried and strongly believes that the current trend here is that you are guilty until found innocent.

I hope that the British People will stand by me on requesting that a British Citizen has justice done in the UK. Today my son, tomorrow it will be someone else’s son. We all know that the U.S is notorious for abuse of Human Rights and is also responsible for killing thousand of innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan. They cannot be trusted to give my son a fair trial.

There will be a Demonstration outside Woodhill Prison at 12.30pm, Sunday 28th November to support Babar Ahmad and other similar case. I urge you to show your support.

For more information on Babar Ahmad, please visit the website:

www.freebabarahmad.com

Thank you, once again and I hope to see you at the Demonstration.