Vous avez besoin d’aide?
Brauchen Sie Hilfe?
¿Hace falta ayuda?Working for a world where every person's right to a fair trial is respected, whatever their nationality, wherever they are accused
Amir Azam - United Arab Emirates
"It is the state profiting, in this case, out of torture. I suspect the new Government may come to have a look at this because I don't think it's very seemly for secret policemen to be having secret court hearings where they arguably misrepresent evidence."
James Saunders, Amir’s solicitor (October 2010)
British national’s fair trial rights consistently denied
In 2002, Amir Azam and his family moved to Dubai, where he ran a luxury car showroom. After Britain instigated an international investigation on drug smuggling operations from Pakistan to Europe, Amir and several other people were arrested in February 2006 in the UAE. Amir was charged with money laundering and drug smuggling. He was found guilty and convicted to life imprisonment and deportation in 2007.
Fair Trials International is highlighting Mr Azam’s case as it raises several grounds for concern. Amir reports that he was tortured into confession by the police yet his allegations were not investigated. Amir’s defence rights have been consistently violated: no interpreter was provided at his trial and there was no hard evidence to support the prosecution’s case and in particular no evidence that the substance found in the shipment was classified drugs. The UK also inappropriately relied on his UAE conviction, which is currently subject to an appeal, to seize his assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
What you can do to help
-
Raise the profile: You can write to the following to express your concerns about the case.
-
Donate to our work: FTI does not charge for its services and relies on your support to help hundreds of people just like Amir Azam. You may also wish to consider organising your own fundraising events. We are always happy to hear what people are doing to raise funds.
-
Inform others: Tell colleagues, friends and family about this case and how FTI works for a world where every person’s right to a fair trial is respected.
newsletter
Receive our monthly email newsletter direct to your inbox.