27 May 2008

 
Michael Shields petition to be investigated
 
Liverpool’s Labour Euro MP, Arlene McCarthy who has been campaigning for justice for Michael Shields since he was first arrested in May 2005, has today along with Michael’s Human Rights Lawyer, Pete Weatherby, presented a formal petition to the European Parliament in Brussels calling for further investigation into Michael’s case.
 
Arlene McCarthy MEP said: “the Petitions Committee has voted to accept Michael’s petition and investigate the failure of the Bulgarian authorities to provide Michael with access to justice.

"This is the first opportunity we have had to put the full facts on the table."
 
Arlene added: “We have taken this petition to the European Parliament because we are frustrated at the failure of the Bulgarian authorities to engage with Michael Shield’s legal team. We have achieved this result with the support of other MEPs and in the face of continued resistance by the Bulgarians".
 
Michael’s Human Rights Lawyer, Pete Weatherby, commenting on the debate in the Petitions Committee said: "We find it encouraging to hear the representative of the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council concede that the evidence raised in the petition raises doubts about Michael's conviction."

He added: "of less encouragement was the assertion, in our meeting afterwards, that the Bulgarian authorities would not act whatever the European Parliament decided" / -ENDS-
 
NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Petition was presented to the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee at 11:30 am on Tuesday 27 May 2008.
 
The Committee voted by 8 votes to 2 with 1 abstention to keep Michael’s petition open and investigate the issues it raises.

The three key issues raised by the petition were:
 
a.        The failure of the Bulgarian authorities to properly deal with the presented new evidence and material;

b.      The failure of the Bulgarian authorities to engage with the lawyers acting for the Petitioner who have been seeking the re-investigation and re-opening of the case, or alternatively the remedy of an executive pardon.

c.       The level of the ‘fine’ ordered to be paid by the Petitioner prior to his repatriation; reported to be substantially higher than any other similar award made in other such cases.
 
To arrange an interview, for photos or a copy of the full Petition please contact Suzanne Richards.