Starmer urged to intervene in ‘rigged’ Indian prosecution of British human rights activist
Summary
Four senior lawyers have asked UK opposition leader Keir Starmer to ask India to stop prosecuting British activist Jagtar Singh Johal. Johal was acquitted of terrorism charges but faces new similar cases, which his supporters say are unfair and violate the rule against being tried twice for the same crime.Key Facts
- Jagtar Singh Johal has been jailed in India for eight years on terrorism charges.
- He was cleared of these charges by an Indian court in Punjab in March last year.
- Despite this, India’s National Investigation Agency has filed eight new cases based on the same evidence.
- Supporters say Johal’s confession was forced through torture and threats.
- Four senior UK lawyers, including former Attorney General Dominic Grieve, wrote to Keir Starmer asking him to intervene.
- They argue that the double jeopardy rule, which stops someone being tried twice for the same crime, applies.
- The lawyers say this rule is part of international law and Indian law.
- United Nations experts say Johal is held arbitrarily because of his activism exposing human rights abuses against Sikhs in India.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.