By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Cookie Policy for more information.

More Syria-related police raids but no evidence of threat to UK

February 14, 2014
Audio

(London) CAGE is extremely concerned by the heavy-handed and disproportionate response of UK police after the alleged death of Abdul Waheed Majid in Syria. While the community is mourning the loss of a valued member, they have been placed under undue pressure and had their homes raided by the police. A further three raids this morning indicates that the police are attempting to use the incident as a means of surveilling the community

An anonymous victim of this morning’s raid said:    

“It is appalling that while we are mourning the potential 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 exercise, to assist the family in seeking clarity, and to carry out any investigation with a calm and respectful approach.    

[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

Email:                      \press@cageuk.org

Web:                       cage.ngo    

CAGE 

27 Old Gloucester Street 

London 

WC1N 3XX

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;"><p>(London) CAGE is extremely concerned by the heavy-handed and disproportionate response of UK police after the alleged death of Abdul Waheed Majid in Syria. While the community is mourning the loss of a valued member, they have been placed under undue pressure and had their homes raided by the police. A further three raids this morning indicates that the police are attempting to use the incident as a means of surveilling the community</p></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><p>An anonymous victim of this morning&rsquo;s raid said:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;It is appalling that while we are mourning the potential death of a dear friend, the police have raided my family home causing immense distress to my wife and elderly father.&nbsp; We haven&rsquo;t been accused of any crimes yet we are being victimised.&nbsp; None of us have been arrested or detained yet the police are criminalising our whole family.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Asim Qureshi, Research Director of CAGE said:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>CAGE calls on the police to withdraw from this fishing exercise, to assist the family in seeking clarity, and to carry out any investigation with a calm and respectful approach.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>[ENDS]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>NOTES:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p><p>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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&rsquo; rights.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>PRESS ENQUIRIES:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Contact:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Muhammad Rabbani&nbsp;</p><p>Phone:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; +(44) 207 377 6700</p><p>Email:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:press@cageuk.org" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">press@cageuk.org</a></p><p>Web:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">&nbsp;&nbsp; cage.ngo&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></p><p>CAGE&nbsp;</p><p>27 Old Gloucester Street&nbsp;</p><p>London&nbsp;</p><p>WC1N 3XX</p></div>

Download Files

No items found.

Newletter

ORIGINAL REPORTING ON EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS IN YOUR INBOX.
More Syria-related police raids but no evidence of threat to UK
Statements & Press Releases
More Syria-related police raids but no evidence of threat to UK
Statements & Press Releases