In 2008, Rangzieb Ahmed from Rochdale was sentenced to life in prison for directing acts of terrorism and was ordered to serve a minimum of ten years. In late June this year, he was given leave to appeal his convictions following allegations that he had been tortured in Pakistan with the complicity of the UK intelligence services. He alleges he was beaten and had his fingernails pulled out while detained by the Pakistani intelligence services (ISI) for 13 months prior to his deportation back to the UK. Much of his 2008 hearing was held in secret with information withheld from the jury.

Given the seriousness of the allegations and the case, in 2009, Conservative MP David Davis used parliamentary privilege to reveal more of the basis of Mr. Ahmed’s allegations and what had actually happened to him. The text of Mr. Davis’ statement can be read at:

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/08/david-davis-torture-statement



Clearly one of the cases that will feature in the upcoming Gibson Inquiry and a further test of the government’s reliance on secret evidence in courts, Mr. Ahmed’s appeal will be heard tomorrow (and for the next few days) at the Court of Appeal in London.



The hearing starts at 10.30am in Court 7 at the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, WC2A 2LL



Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! is organising a demonstration in support of Mr. Ahmed at 10am outside the court. Please call 0207 837 168
for more details.

Please attend the hearing -tomorrow or in the next few days - if you can and show your support for victims of torture everywhere.