Babar Ahmad has called ‘for this injustice to be avenged’ after Home Secretary Charles Clarke ordered his extradition to America to face trumped up terror charges that carry a death sentence.
This is despite the fact that European law bars extradition to countries that carry out death sentences.
The young computer programmer from Croydon’s family and supporters dispute Clarke’s claim that the extradition is safe as the US has promised Babar Ahmad will not be executed.
They say such a promise is worthless. His lawyers have warned Ahmad would be at risk of the death penalty if he was sent to the US and transferred to military jurisdiction.
In a statement posted late Tuesday the Babar Ahmad family says: ‘This is a sad day for Britain and an even sadder day for British Muslims.
‘In effect this sends a message to British Muslims that there is no “legal and democratic” means to air your concerns: you must use other ways to get justice. We utilised every “legal and democratic means” to fight this decision.
‘We held protests, wrote letters, lobbied MPs and compiled petitions of over 15,000 signatures, some even from as far away as New Zealand; but all of this amounted to nothing to the government.
‘This did however, show the world how many people have come together bravely in the fight for justice.
‘The US has clearly demonstrated to the world its total disregard for International Law. Vice-President Dick Cheney is seeking to legalise torture.
‘Just today we have seen reports of Spain and other European countries launching investigations against the CIA.
‘These all centre on claims that the CIA has been secretly kidnapping terror suspects to third countries to facilitate torture.
‘If the floodgates for extradition are allowed to be opened, it will be British Muslims that will be targeted; the very people the British government was hoping to win support from in “the fight against terrorism”.’
Babar, speaking from Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes, said: ‘This decision should only come as a surprise to those who thought that there was still justice for Muslims in Britain.’
The family adds that it ‘will be appealing against this prejudiced decision at the High Court.
‘Our resolve remains firm in the fight for justice for Babar.’
Tooting Labour MP, Sadiq Khan said Babar Ahmad should face any trial in the UK.
Khan added: ‘The allegations are that Babar Ahmad committed these criminal offences whilst in the UK, whilst a British citizen and whilst in London – if that is the case, the obvious question is why can’t and why shouldn’t he be tried in the UK?’
