VERDICT TO BE DELIVERED 27TH NOVEMBER

It feels surreal to say thoses words :- a verdict will be delivered on Monday the 27th of November on wither the Chennai6 will have their conviction overturned . since February 2016 nearly two years we have waited for the day our appeal would be heard and a verdict given. In just 7 days time we will finally hear our fate. Myself and Joanne Thomlinson returned home from India yesterday, where we spent a week visiting the men in prison. They were tired, and deflated at the lack of movement in their case. They are enduring the most horrific of conditions inside the prison, but still everyday they came to greet us with a smile on their faces. We had the honor of telling them the supreme court had ruled that the High court must make a decision on their case within two weeks. After all this time the thought of getting a verdict in just a few weeks seemed unimaginable. To actually have a date now and know it is just 7 days away is unbelievable. The next week will be one of the longest of our lives. For our men in prison i imagine this week will be unbearable. with no distractions, long days and the thought of what lies ahead, I am positive this week will be one hell of a struggle for them. Its so hard not to get your hopes up, especially as the Captain of the Ship who is terminally ill with cancer has today been granted repatriation to the Ukraine-his homeland to receive treatment and be with his family. To know he will soon be back with his family and receiving the treatment he so desperately needs is so comforting. Since we received the news early today I haven't stopped playing in my mind the imagine of the men walking through their front doors and into our arms....of all the men at home on Christmas day sitting around the dinner table feasting on turkey and wine, witht he biggest smile on their faces. Watching their children opening their presents from Santa, absorbing their joy and excitement and the realisation on their faces that yes, finally after 4 years they are free, that they have their Freedom, and their life back again. You would think after 4 years of turmoil i would learn not to get my hopes up, but i just cannot help it. While in india we visited a temple. we lit candles and we prayed harder than i've ever prayed before. Inside that temple i felt more at peace than i have ever felt the past 4 years. behind the walls was the bustle of hundreds of thousands of people. Car horns honking, music being played.....complete chaos. Inside there was silence. As I sat in the middle of the temple on the stairs of the bath, I felt at peace and i felt so calm. The world outside those walls felt a million miles away and i could have stayed there forever. I was lost in the beautiful stone carvings and stunning paintings and was overcome with a feeling that things were going to change, and that things were going to get better. So now all we can do is wait, hope and pray for a positive change, and for that image of freedom to become a reality. Love to you all for your continued support, i cannot say it enough but the strength we all get from every one of you is unvaluable, come the 27th we will need your support more than ever, regardless of what verdict the judge delivers. Thank you, Yvonne MacHugh xxxx