Turkish authorities have refused an American request for the extradition of a young man from Birmingham who alleges he was tortured with the complicity of British security service agents.
This followed reports this week in The Independent that the man, Ahmed Diini had been mistreated by British authorities who he said were involved in his detention and torture.[1] These allegations caused the head of the intelligence agencies' watchdog Sir Malcolm Rifkind to call for an investigation into the claims. [2]
Asim Qureshi, Director of Research at CAGE [3], said: ''This represents a small step in the right direction, but not yet an outright victory. If Ahmed leaves Turkey now for another country, there may still be an opportunity for America to kidnap, render or put him through another extradition process with the help of country with less regard for justice. There is at least one precedent for this.
'It is important at this stage that Turkey confirms its commitment to justice and grants Ahmed Diini asylum. It is also essential that the UK government follows Sir Malcolm Rifkind's earlier calls, and investigates allegations of torture complicity.'
Ahmed Diini arrived in Turkey from Egypt 60 days ago en route to the Netherlands where he is a citizen. However he was arrested there on the basis of an international arrest warrant. A former British resident, he alleges that British Home Secretary Theresa May excluded him from the country after he had refused to work for security services, and that British secret agents visited him while he was arbitrarily detained in Egypt.
[ENDS]
Notes:
1. The full article can be read here:
2. The full article can be read here:
3. CAGE (formerly known as CagePrisoners) is an independent advocacy organisation that works to empower communities affected by the War on Terror and to highlight abuses of due process.
4. CAGE is able to arrange interviews with family members and the lawyer, and has extensive evidence of Ahmed Diini's treatment. Please get in touch with our media officer below for further information.
PRESS ENQUIRIES:
Contact: Mr Amandla Thomas-Johnson
Phone: +(44) 207 377 6700
Email: \press@cageuk.org
Web: cage.ngo
CAGE
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
<p>Turkish authorities have refused an American request for the extradition of a young man from Birmingham who alleges he was tortured with the complicity of British security service agents.</p><p>This followed reports this week in <em>The Independent </em>that the man, Ahmed Diini had been mistreated by British authorities who he said were involved in his detention and torture.[1] These allegations caused the head of the intelligence agencies' watchdog Sir Malcolm Rifkind to call for an investigation into the claims. [2]</p><p>Asim Qureshi, Director of Research at CAGE [3], said: ''This represents a small step in the right direction, but not yet an outright victory. If Ahmed leaves Turkey now for another country, there may still be an opportunity for America to kidnap, render or put him through another extradition process with the help of country with less regard for justice. There is at least one precedent for this.</p><p>'It is important at this stage that Turkey confirms its commitment to justice and grants Ahmed Diini asylum. It is also essential that the UK government follows Sir Malcolm Rifkind's earlier calls, and investigates allegations of torture complicity.'</p><p>Ahmed Diini arrived in Turkey from Egypt 60 days ago en route to the Netherlands where he is a citizen. However he was arrested there on the basis of an international arrest warrant. A former British resident, he alleges that British Home Secretary Theresa May excluded him from the country after he had refused to work for security services, and that British secret agents visited him while he was arbitrarily detained in Egypt.</p><p> </p><p>[ENDS]</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><p>1. The full article can be read here: <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/exclusive-mi5-stands-accused-of-complicity-in-torture-this-year-after-trying-to-recruit-man-from-egyptian-jail-9399746.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/exclusive-mi5-stands-accused-of-complicity-in-torture-this-year-after-trying-to-recruit-man-from-egyptian-jail-9399746.html</a></p><p>2. The full article can be read here: <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/british-intelligence-chiefs-asked-to-brief-government-over-allegations-of-torture-9405833.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/british-intelligence-chiefs-asked-to-brief-government-over-allegations-of-torture-9405833.html</a></p><p>3. CAGE (formerly known as CagePrisoners) is an independent advocacy organisation that works to empower communities affected by the War on Terror and to highlight abuses of due process. </p><p>4. CAGE is able to arrange interviews with family members and the lawyer, and has extensive evidence of Ahmed Diini's treatment. Please get in touch with our media officer below for further information.</p><p> </p><p>PRESS ENQUIRIES:</p><p> </p><p>Contact: Mr Amandla Thomas-Johnson</p><p>Phone: +(44) 207 377 6700</p><p>Email: <a href="http://press@cageuk.org/">press@cageuk.org</a></p><p>Web: <a href="/">cage.ngo</a></p><p> </p><p>CAGE</p><p>27 Old Gloucester Street</p><p>London</p><p>WC1N 3XX</p>
