Statement of the families of Yasemin Vatansever and Yetunde Diya on the sentences delivered in Ghana

January 23 2008

We would like to start by saying this is the only comment we will be making today, please direct all other media enquiries to Fair Trials International.

We have respected the law of Ghana and have refrained from commenting on the details of this case. However, it has been clear that our daughters are as much victims of this terrible trade as anyone. Believing only that they were going for a brief holiday to Ghana, they had no knowledge of the real purpose of their visit.

They were never the masterminds of this operation, yet will bear the consequences. They have demonstrated great courage and character and we know these qualities will be further tested while they serve the remainder of their sentence.

However, we are relieved that the uncertainty is now over, and we look forward to welcoming the girls home when they are released in April.

In the meantime, we urge law enforcement agencies to continue their efforts to bring to justice those responsible for luring our daughters and other vulnerable young people into the terrible drugs trade.

We would like to thank those who have expressed support for us and the girls throughout this distressing ordeal. We would also like to thank the legal team in Ghana and in London, including Sabine Zanker of Fair Trials International and Joe Stone of Doughty Street Chambers for their expertise and support.

We will not be giving any further interviews and neither will our daughters. We ask that the media respects our privacy at this difficult time.

For further information, contact Catherine Wolthuizen on 020 7762 6400 or 07846 472 923