APP : Lawyer attack denial of bail to four Pak students

Lawyer attack denial of bail to four Pak students

May 14, 2009

LONDON, May 14 (APP)- Lawyer representing four of the ten Pakistan students facing deportation after they were arrested in anti-terror raids has spoken against the denial of bail to his clients.

Rochdale based lawyer Amjad Malik for four of them said his clients were shocked at the decision as they are eager to carry on with their studies.

Their application for bail was turned down by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

Barrister Malik said; “The CPS found no shred of evidence against these men yet they are being treated like criminals by being detained at a high security prison as Category A detainees.

“These men who have never been in trouble with the law are now having to roam around with murderers and rapists. We were told the Home Secretary is convinced that there is concern they may abscond or that they will carry on with ‘Islamist extremist’ activities”, he said.

Barrister Amjad Malik went on to say; “We want to now what constitutes as Islamist activities. Is it because they wear beards, go to mosque and read their prayers and because they have other Muslim friends who they meet up with and socialise with as do many people in the UK?

“The clients are really upset about the decision as one of my clients has missed a major exam and another client has an exam coming up.

“All they wanted was to be able to carry on with their studies as their families in Pakistan have paid thousands of pounds to send their sons to the UK for decent education.”

The students were amongst 12 who were recently arrested in north west England as terrorist suspects but subsequently released without charge.

They are now facing deportation by order of the Home Secretary, which ten of them are appealing. The next hearing will take place on July 27.