DATE=8/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / YEMEN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252609
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Lawyers for the eight British citizens
convicted of terrorism by a court in Yemen have
denounced the verdict as a miscarriage of justice. As
Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports from London, the
eight -- along with two Algerians -- were sentenced to
jail terms ranging from eight-months to seven-years,
although three were released for time served.
TEXT: The eight British citizens were charged with
plotting bombing campaigns in Yemen. They also were
accused of links to Islamic radicals who kidnapped 16
western tourists last year. The men - all Arab or
South Asian Muslims with British citizenship -- have
denied the charges.
In London, lawyers for the British men denounced the
verdicts. Lawyer Rashad Yaqub says the trial violated
international legal standards.
/// YAQUB ACT ///
The flagrant disregard and abuse of the human
rights of the detainees under Yemeni law, as
well as international law, as well as the
countless breaches of the process, show beyond
any reasonable doubt that this trial has been
contaminated and corrupted to such a degree that
it is inconceivable that anything less than
acquittal should have been delivered today on
all counts.
/// END ACT ///
Lawyers and relatives of the men insist false
confessions were extracted through torture and other
human rights violations, including sexual abuse. The
lawyers say their access was restricted and no defense
witnesses were allowed at the trial.
Another member of the defense team, Natalia Garcia
says the verdict was a political decision not made by
an independent judiciary. She says the relatives of
those convicted want Britain to try to get the men
released.
/// GARCIA ACT ///
The families of the detainees are obviously very
disappointed and shocked by the verdicts. They
are equally distressed by the inaction and
failure of the British government to remind the
Yemeni authorities of their obligations toward
these British citizens.
/// END ACT ///
Islamic activist Abu Hamza el-Masri, the father of one
of the convicted British men, says he will organize
peaceful protests against the verdict. Yemen is
seeking his extradition on charges he sent the men to
Yemen to carry out terrorist activities. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/RAE
09-Aug-1999 09:12 AM EDT (09-Aug-1999 1312 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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