Skip to content or view screen version

Hich: Bail Hearing Monday

Free Hich | 13.06.2008 16:08 | Migration | Repression

Although his deportation to Algeria on June 1 was stopped at the last minute, a bail hearing for Hicham Yezza has only now been scheduled for Monday June 16. Supporters are hopeful that there will be a successful outcome and Hich will be released from detention and allowed to defend himself properly.



Hich, an employee of the University of Nottingham, was arrested along with postgraduate student, Rizwaan Sabir, after Sabir downloaded an al-Qaeda training manual as part of his academic research. Because he couldn't afford the printing he sent the document to Hich at which point it was seen by a colleague.

The police were called in and both men were arrested. their homes were searched, their computers seized and friends and family interrogated. After being held for six days, the two were released and at no point charged with any offences.

Upon release, Hich was rearrested on unrelated immigration charges. A fast-track deportation was initially scheduled for Sunday June1, but postponed after an application for judicial review was made.

While in detention, Hich has been moved around the country on numerous occasions like "a piece of luggage" (his own words). On one occasion he went on hunger strike for 20 hours when requests for clean clothes were not granted.

Following his likely release on Monday, his case will be heard at a forthcoming immigration hearing.

Free Hich
- e-mail: staffandstudents (at) googlemail.com
- Homepage: http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com/