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| Shrien Dewani 'victim of witch hunt' after honeymoon murder | Shrien Dewani 'victim of witch hunt' after honeymoon murder |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A man whose trial over his wife's killing on honeymoon in South Africa was thrown out says he was the victim of a "witch hunt". | |
| Shrien Dewani, 34, from Bristol, was cleared of plotting to murder his new bride Anni in South Africa in 2010. | |
| As a coroner ruled he would not open a full UK inquest into the death, Mr Dewani said those who claimed he was linked to her murder were "liars". | As a coroner ruled he would not open a full UK inquest into the death, Mr Dewani said those who claimed he was linked to her murder were "liars". |
| It is the first time his views have been heard since his 2014 trial. | It is the first time his views have been heard since his 2014 trial. |
| In the letter sent to North London Coroners' Court, Mr Dewani said: "I would like to make clear that I have a significant number of questions which remain unanswered about the night that my wife and I were kidnapped and Anni was tragically shot after being taken from me." | In the letter sent to North London Coroners' Court, Mr Dewani said: "I would like to make clear that I have a significant number of questions which remain unanswered about the night that my wife and I were kidnapped and Anni was tragically shot after being taken from me." |
| Mr Dewani and his wife, 28, were kidnapped at gunpoint while on honeymoon in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2010. | Mr Dewani and his wife, 28, were kidnapped at gunpoint while on honeymoon in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2010. |
| James Longman, news correspondent | James Longman, news correspondent |
| This is the first time Shrien Dewani has been heard from since the statement he provided at the start of his trial last year. | This is the first time Shrien Dewani has been heard from since the statement he provided at the start of his trial last year. |
| The letter gives the sense of a man who feels he too has been wronged. It echoes the language Anni's family has used: a search for answers, and the failure of the South African courts to find the truth. | The letter gives the sense of a man who feels he too has been wronged. It echoes the language Anni's family has used: a search for answers, and the failure of the South African courts to find the truth. |
| It was always unlikely that Mr Dewani would engage with an inquest. But given Anni's family have indicated they will pursue other channels, we may yet hear from him again. | It was always unlikely that Mr Dewani would engage with an inquest. But given Anni's family have indicated they will pursue other channels, we may yet hear from him again. |
| He was released unharmed before Mrs Dewani's body was found on the back seat of their taxi the following day. | He was released unharmed before Mrs Dewani's body was found on the back seat of their taxi the following day. |
| He later faced trial on suspicion of conspiracy to murder his new bride, but the case was thrown out by a South African judge in 2014. | He later faced trial on suspicion of conspiracy to murder his new bride, but the case was thrown out by a South African judge in 2014. |
| Three South African men were jailed for their role in Mrs Dewani's death. | Three South African men were jailed for their role in Mrs Dewani's death. |
| Mr Dewani's letter continued: "Each of the gang members did a deal with the authorities to gain either full immunity or vastly reduced sentences in return for providing evidence against me. | Mr Dewani's letter continued: "Each of the gang members did a deal with the authorities to gain either full immunity or vastly reduced sentences in return for providing evidence against me. |
| "It is the evidence of these proven liars that led to a witch hunt against me and the resulting failure to pursue the truth of what happened that night." | "It is the evidence of these proven liars that led to a witch hunt against me and the resulting failure to pursue the truth of what happened that night." |
| Written statement | Written statement |
| He continued: "It is clear that none of the evidence provided by these persons was corroborated in any meaningful way. | He continued: "It is clear that none of the evidence provided by these persons was corroborated in any meaningful way. |
| "This has allowed the individuals concerned to literally get away with murder." | "This has allowed the individuals concerned to literally get away with murder." |
| Mr Dewani did not give evidence during the trial in South Africa last year. Instead a statement from him was read out by his defence lawyer at the start of trial. | Mr Dewani did not give evidence during the trial in South Africa last year. Instead a statement from him was read out by his defence lawyer at the start of trial. |
| The judge said the evidence of the prosecution's main witness was "riddled with contradictions". | The judge said the evidence of the prosecution's main witness was "riddled with contradictions". |
| Mr Dewani said he sent the letter to the coroner because he was unable to attend in person "due to pre-arranged travel". | Mr Dewani said he sent the letter to the coroner because he was unable to attend in person "due to pre-arranged travel". |
| He said he "accepted the views" of the coroner which were expressed at an earlier hearing, when he said an inquest in the UK "would not serve any purpose". | He said he "accepted the views" of the coroner which were expressed at an earlier hearing, when he said an inquest in the UK "would not serve any purpose". |