This seems to have concrete implications re. The MLA Guidance on
Controversial Materials

Notts Uni detainee innocent but still facing deportation
<http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/pressrelease/#more-1>
From a group of Nottingham residents, concerned student and academics at the
University of Nottingham.
For immediate use, 24/05/08 SATURDAY


Hicham Yezza, a popular, respected and valued former PhD student and current
employee of the University of Nottingham faces deportation to Algeria on
Sunday 1st June. This follows his unjust arrest under the Terrorism Act 2000
on Wednesday 14th May alongside Rizwaan Sabir and their release without
charge six days later.

It has subsequently become clear that these arrests, which the police had
claimed related to so-called "radical materials" involved an Al Qaeda manual
downloaded by Sabir as part of his research into political Islam and emailed
to Yezza for printing because Sabir couldn't afford to get it printed
himself.

There has been a vocal response from lecturers and students. A petition is
being circulated, letters have been sent by academics across the world and a
demo is being planned for Wednesday. 28th May. This has clearly been deeply
embarrassing to a government currently advocating an expansion of
anti-terror powers.

On his release Hicham was re-arrested under immigration legislation and, due
to confusion over his visa documentation, charged with offences relating to
his immigration status. He sought legal advice and representation over these
matters whilst in custody. On Friday 23rd May, he was suddenly served with a
deportation notice and moved to an immigration detention centre. The
deportation is being urgently appealed.

Hicham has been resident in the U.K. for 13 years, during which time he has
studied for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Nottingham. He is
an active member of debating societies, a prominent member of an arts and
theatre group, and has written for, and edited, Ceasefire, the Nottingham
Student Peace Movement magazine for the last five years.

He is well known and popular on campus amongst the university community and
has established himself as a voracious reader and an authority on literature
and music. An application for British citizenship was underway, and he had
been planning to make his yearly trip to Wales for the Hay Festival when he
was suddenly arrested.

The authorities are clearly trying to circumvent the criminal justice system
and force Hicham out of the country. Normally they would have to wait for
criminal proceedings to finish, but here they have managed to convince the
prosecution to drop the charges in an attempt to remove him a quick, covert
manner. The desire for justice is clearly not the driving force behind this,
as Hicham was happy to stand trial and prove his innocence.

Hicham had a large social network and many of his friends are mobilising to
prevent his deportation. Matthew Butcher, 20, a student at the University of
Nottingham and member of the 2008-9 Students Union Executive, said, "This is
an abhorrent abuse of due process, pursued by a government currently seeking
to expand anti-terror powers. Following the debacle of the initial 'terror'
arrests they now want to brush the whole affair under the carpet by
deporting Hicham."

Supporters have been able to talk with Hicham and he said, "The Home Office
operates with a Gestapo mentality. They have no respect for human dignity
and human life. They treat foreign nationals as disposable goods - the
recklessness and the cavalier approach they have belongs to a totalitarian
state. I thank everyone for their support - it's been extremely heartening
and humbling. I'm grateful to everyone who has come to my aid and stood with
me in solidarity, from students to Members of Parliament. I think this
really reflects the spirit of the generous, inclusive Britain we know - and
not the faceless, brutal, draconian tactics of the Home Office."

[ENDS]

Contact: Sam Walton, 07948590262, [log in to unmask]

----
Mark Perkins MLIS, MCLIP
www.markperkins.info

https://keyserver.pgp.com/