An anonymous victim of this morning’s raid told CAGE:    

“It is appalling that while we are mourning the apparent death of a dear friend, the police have raided my family home causing immense distress to my wife and elderly father.  We haven’t been accused of any crimes yet we are being victimised.  None of us have been arrested or detained yet the police are criminalising our whole family.”    

Asim Qureshi, Research Director of CAGE said:    

“The family, who have still not received any confirmation of the loss, are being criminalised without any of the facts having been ascertained. The reaction by the police has not only been insensitive, but has placed the whole community under suspicion, without any evidence of a crime having been committed.”    

CAGE calls on the police to withdraw from this fishing expedition and to focus on assistance to the family, and to carry out any investigation in a calm and respectful manner.  

[ENDS]    

NOTES:    

1.     CAGE (formerly known as CagePrisoners) is an independent advocacy organisation that works to empower communities affected by the War on Terror and to highlight abuses of prisoners’ rights. 

PRESS ENQUIRIES:    

Contact:                 Muhammad Rabbani 

Phone:                   +(44) 207 377 6700 

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Web:                        www.cageuk.org

CAGE 

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