A previous appeal for support was posted here ( http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/379319.html) and the distressing details of her case are in the press release below.

Further details of the court case may be posted later but thanks all who sent messages of support or made it to the Sheriff Court.

Press Release from Supporters:
"Tomorrow (7th September) will see the conclusion of the case against Lamulla Mataluga at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Lamulla is charged with 7 assault charges against police and Home Office officials who arrived at her door in the dark hours of the morning of February 22nd 2006 to deport her back to Uganda...

Background info.
Lamulla's husband was abducted and Lamulla was gang raped and tortured by Ugandan militia. She fled the country with her child and has been seeking asylum in Britain for over 5 years. She settled in Glasgow and faithfully signed on at the Home Office in Brand St, Glasgow every Friday. She sought medical help for her depression and post traumatic stress disorder.

So on the Thursday morning of February 22nd Lamulla (a single parent and five months pregnant with her second child) was shocked by the intrusion of six or seven officers who first banged on her door before ramming it open. She was standing, naked and terrified in front of the officers in her kitchen when they arrived. This was reminiscent of her earlier experiences- especially the smell of stale alcohol from the officer in charge of her 'removal'. At this point Lamulla considered it better that she no longer lived. She took a knife and aimed it at herself. The officer made the announcement "Knife" to alert his team that Lamulla had a weapon. She was restrained, seated and hand-cuffed.

Meanwhile, her 4 year old son was in the bedroom whilst officers packed all of their valuable belongings in preparation for their departure. Lamulla realised what they were doing and asked after her son, explaining to them also that he has respiratory problems. She was concerned for her sons welfare.

Lamulla was then taken forcefully to the removal van, wearing only a t-shirt. She had been given clothes but the skirt fell from her before she left the building and was not replaced. Her son was taken separately and it was one week before she knew where he was or how he was coping.

Lamulla was taken to Helen St police station and placed in an observation cell with officers laughing at her and calling her disgusting names. Lamulla tried to cover herself with a blanket but this was 'interpreted' as a suicide risk, so all of her dignity was stripped from her again as they removed her top and the blanket. She was again restrained, face down on her stomach and cuffed behind her back. She was later charged with assault on the officers.

This is the first time that the Home Office policy and proceedure of dawn raids has been taken into the courts. Police and Home Office officials now have to take the stand and tell the court that they were doing their jobs. (Isn't that what the Nazis said at Nuremberg?) Lamulla's testimony completely contradicts the prosecution witnesses, namely the officers carrying out the removal. It remains to be seen how the jurors view the evidence.

No person should be subjected to this type of humiliation, let alone a single, pregnant mother whether she be black/ white or some shade in between. Please give this heartbreaking story your full attention. Thank you."