British firefighter extradited to Portugal released from prison

Garry with his family

The Telegraph - Leah Hyslop

Garry Mann, 53, was extradited to Portugal in 2010 for his alleged role in a riot there during the Euro 2004 football tournament.

Earlier this year, he was allowed to return to the UK to serve the remainder of his prison sentence for public order offences, and was released from Wandsworth prison last week.

He said that the experience had been “very tough" but that he was “hoping to finally get on with my life now”.

Rights groups such as Fair Trials International have long argued that Mr Mann, a father of six who has always said he was innocent, was treated unfairly by Portuguese authorities.

After his initial arrest in 2004, he was subjected to a fast-track trial which saw him convicted within 48 hours, during which time he claims he had little access to an interpreter and was unable to prepare a defence.

UK judges said at the time that his extradition seemed to be a "serious injustice" but were unable to fight the arrest warrant.

Jago Russell, the chief executive of Fair Trials International, said: “The European Arrest Warrant has turned this family’s life upside down. Sadly, until it is reformed and we have better standards of justice in Europe others will suffer the same fate.

“We are delighted that Garry is finally able to return home but he should never have been extradited to Portugal.”