Dear your MP’s name
We are all aware of the recent plight of the Leicester City footballers,
who may or may not be guilty. Press coverage and the involvement
of the local Member of Parliament played a large part in securing
their release on bail. Obviously the main reason for this being the “presumption of innocence”, which quite rightly is a basic human
right.
Does this presumption extend to all, or is it merely applied to the rich
and famous?. I ask this because at this time there are hundreds of
drivers languishing in prisons all over Europe, as a result of arrest over
matters over which they had no control.
One of the most emotive of these has to be John Vasey. John was arrested on Saturday, 1 March 2003, and is currently being held in
Perpignan Prison in the South of France. The following is a brief extract from the “Free John Vasey” website, which can be viewed in full at:
johnvasey.com/johnvasey/index.html
"Friday, 28th February 2003.
John left Cim Valles at 7:09 (local time) and went to the warehouse of J Rios, Ave Sant Julian, Granollers. This warehouse has the name on the wall outside. John waited until 9:30 (local time) when Maria Rodriguez arrived in a silver car - possibly an Opel Vector. She suggested that
John follow her to the loading point, which proved more difficult than usual, as John had to drive quite a way to turn around. Maria seemed
to be well known and familiar with the layout. On arrival at the loading point Maria took the blank CMR and went inside an office as John opened the doors of the trailer. A Spaniard - (description is difficult as John was not taking much notice), about 25 to 30 years of age, slim, dark, black hair and no glasses or facial hair - loaded 2 pallets of large cartons marked “Transdean - International removals”. As the trailer was empty, the Spanish man loaded the pallets right to the back with a pallet truck. During this time John was having a cigarette and sending a text message to his wife. Almost as soon as the loading was complete, Maria Rodriguez reappeared with the completed CMR. She told John that the cartons contained Ceramics, which the CMR confirmed at a glance, with a weight of just over 700kgs. John had no reason to be suspicious, as there was nothing unusual in the loading procedure.
John proceeded then to his other collections at Rubi, Barcelona and El
Prat de Llobregat on behalf of Alberto Fontana. After completing all of these loadings, he made his way back to France.
Saturday, 1st March 2003.
Shortly after midnight, John was searched on the Spanish /French
border in what appeared to be a routine control. French customs
officers opened several cartons, until they came to the cartons of
J Rios, which were sealed with shrink wrap and tape (as usual) to
prevent any unauthorised access and to stop the load from moving
on the pallet. It turned out that the cartons of J Rios contained 909kg
of cannabis resin. There was nothing else in the cartons and the pallets and cartons were not hidden in any way."
John has informed his family that at this time sixtyeight British drivers
are being held at Perpignan, most if not all, awaiting trial.
Presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of not just British, but
Western justice, and is quite obviously not being practised as vigorously
as it might be here in Great Britain.
I would respectfully ask that you look into this matter as a matter of
some urgency and that you ask all your colleagues to do the same, on
behalf of their own constituents who may be in the same position.
In order for you to gauge popular opinion, please view this website:
Yours sincerely,insert your name here
