Guardian : Pakistani students' lawyer: 'They are neither extremists nor terrorists'

Pakistani students' lawyer: 'They are neither extremists nor terrorists'

Full text of statement from Mohammed Ayub, who represents three men facing deportation after Operation Pathway arrests

Press Association | April 22, 2009

This is the full statement from Mohammed Ayub, the lawyer representing three of the men – Sultan Sher, Mohammed Rizwan Sharif and Mohammed Umer Farooq – who were yesterday released by Greater Manchester police into the custody of the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) following their arrests on April 8.

"I, Mohammed Ayub of Chambers Solicitors, Bradford, act for three young Pakistani men, all aged in their 20s, who were arrested on 8 April 2009 as part of Operation Pathway.

"Today, after 13 days in custody, during which no evidence of any wrongdoing was disclosed, they have now been released without charge. Our clients were arrested in a blaze of publicity and speculation. Their release without charge and the wrong that has been done to them deserves to be accompanied by a similar amount of publicity.

"Our clients have no criminal history, they were here lawfully on student visas and all were pursuing their studies and working part-time. Our clients are neither extremists nor terrorists.

"Their arrest and detention has been a very serious breach of their human rights. Now, adding insult to injury, attempts are being made to deport them. We intend to challenge the deportation orders and, if necessary, will take our fight to the highest courts.

"Our clients are entirely innocent and are entitled to complete the studies they came here for. We call for an independent inquiry into Operation Pathway so that lessons can be learned as to how this investigation could have got it so terribly wrong and so that no other innocent person should have to suffer the ordeal that our clients have.

"The UK Border Agency has issued deportation orders on the basis of their being involved in Islamist extremist activity and therefore their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good on the grounds of national security. It is intended to appeal the deportation orders and their basis for the orders is not accepted.

"As a minimum our clients are entitled to an unreserved apology and no further action should be taken against them."