Petition updateFree the 6 British Veterans from Indian jail #CHENNAI6Weapons Licenses and a ticket to freedom
Yvonne IrvingStewarton, SCT, United Kingdom
Jul 22, 2016
So the last few weeks have been pretty manic. We delivered our HUGE Petition to downing street on the 7th of July. Thanks to each and every one of you, We felt defiant delivering and knowing we have you all behind us. On the same day we held a Parliamentary Lobby in the House of Commons. It was attended by around 20 MPs for various Parties, who all supported our cause and agreed it was time to shout from the rooftops and have our men released. We had tried the quiet approach, we had waited until the trail had ran its course, and despite what we, the lawyers, the men and the British government believed and were told the verdict would be. They were sentenced to 5 years in Prison. I truly hope they keep to their word. We have a new prime Minister, a new Foreign Secretary and a New minister for Asia, and I pray they use their powers for the good of their British Veterans and call on them to be released ASAP. I then traveled to India to visit Billy and the Men in Prison. What can I say about the visit? Once I had gotten over the smell of the prison, the 100s of people waiting to see their own loved ones, The hours waiting outside in the blistering heat, the body searches and terrifying walk through "the cages" There he was, as handsome as ever and running towards us to hold his son again for the first time in over a year. It was magical, and for those 2 hours I forgot where we were, The smell had disappeared. The police around us became invisible and we were a family again. A normal family. Laughing, Hugging and treasuring every single second we had together like it was our last. I've said it before, But I really could not be more Proud of Billy and those men. What they deal with on a daily bases, Living each day inside a prison filled with rapists, drug dealers and murders knowing they are innocent men. Paying for water and food to survive and maintain their health. I have no idea how they do it. But they are. They are a credit to our country, and I am so proud of them. While there Billy gave me documentation that had been issued to them by the British Government last week. It was the licenses for the weapons that the Indian authorities had claimed were illegal. All licenses had previously been produced in court, but the judge felt there was a issue with the British Weapons licenses so sentenced them to 5 years in Prison, dismissing the over whelming evidence proving their innocence. We now Finally have received the supporting Documents and licenses from the British Government for these weapons proving once again that they are Legal. These have now also been sent to the courts, lawyers and officials. If yet again they are dismissed by the courts, we have proof the men are being held in India Illegally. Billy asked me to share these documents with the world. To prove any doubters that they are innocent. To ensure that should the licenses be dismissed, the British government will step in and demand their release, and to guarantee Justice for himself and the other 34 men suffering hell on earth. For now we need to court date and pray the Indian authorities will examine the documents, accept them, admit they have made a mistake and release our men. In the meantime, I will be calling on the new Minister for Asia - Alok Sharma, to ensure the indian authorities understand these documents and that the men are innocent during his visit to india next week. I will also be asking Boris Johnston and Theresa May to meet with the families and discuss the next steps they will take to ensure our men are returned home. I hope this is the turning point in our story. The beginning of the end, and their ticket to Freedom.
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