Ahmad’s case cuts across a number of different rights controversies. The BBC challenged the Ministry of Justice’s initial refusal to allow an interview with the terrorist suspect, who is currently held at a maximum security jail, and won – see our post. Ahmad is also currently the longest serving prisoner who has not been charged with a criminal offence; he has been detained for nearly 8 years.
In 2009 Ahmad was paid £60,000 in compensation after he was assaulted by arresting officers in 2003. And, he is also fighting his extradition to the United States, with the European Court of Human Rights due to rule on his and others’ (including cleric Abu Hamza) cases this coming Tuesday – for more, see my 2010 post.
As summarised in the Court’s press release, four men allege, in particular that, if extradited and convicted in the USA, their conditions of detention at the US Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum, Florence, Colorado (a “supermax” prison) would amount to ill- treatment under Article 3 ECHR (prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment). They further allege that the length of their possible sentences would also violate Article 3.
So lots to consider; watch the full Newsnight piece for more.
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Read more:
- Secret justice: do we have a compromise?
- Radical cleric European human rights claim rejected
- Worries over US justice system as Abu Hamza extradition delayed
