hicham yezza has been a strong progressive force in the student community, especially at nottingham university where he founded the excellent anti-war "ceasefire" magazine.

he came to national attention when he was arrested last year under terrorism laws after a so-called "al-qaeda training manual" was discovered on his computer.

in fact the material was a freely available document (anyone can purchase it from amazon) and was legitimately part of research material for a PhD proposal that he was helping a fellow student, rizwaan sabir with.

the authorities raided his home, took computers and other materials, held him for questioning for days, and failing to substantiate any sort of terrorist connection or plot, they then found a small irregularity in his immigration status and tried to fast-track him out of the country.

this failed due to a nationwide outcry from friends, colleagues, academics, civil rights campaigners, anti-war campaigners and even newspapers.

since then, he has been guest at many conferences where he speaks as eloquently as he writes, about global issues, freedom, peace and politics.

at northampton crown court last week, his lawyer pointed out that he has lived in britain for 14 years, has no family in his birthplace algeria, and has an exemplary record in his local community. hicham has admitted that he made a mistake in an immigration interview in 2007, but it is clear that there was no material gain from it. had all his information been correct, there was no doubt he would still have received the permanent residence in this country he was seeking. the whole 'offence' is really a technicality.

despite this, the judge sentenced hicham to nine months imprisonment, and he will have a criminal record for the rest of his life.

is there any suspicion that this case and the extraordinary sentence imposed may be political?