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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Fan loses riot extradition fight | Fan loses riot extradition fight |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An England football fan has lost his fight to avoid being extradited to serve a jail term for his involvement in a riot during Euro 2004. | An England football fan has lost his fight to avoid being extradited to serve a jail term for his involvement in a riot during Euro 2004. |
| Garry Mann, 52, of Faversham, Kent, was given a two-year term for his role in a riot in Albufeira during Euro 2004. | Garry Mann, 52, of Faversham, Kent, was given a two-year term for his role in a riot in Albufeira during Euro 2004. |
| He had his appeal against extradition to Portugal rejected by the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday. | He had his appeal against extradition to Portugal rejected by the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday. |
| Mann said he had been the victim of a witch-hunt and condemned the government handling of his case. | |
| He said: "I am proud to be English but sad and embarrassed that this Government and its laws have not stood up for me as an English citizen. | |
| "This has been a witch-hunt from beginning to end." | |
| Portugal is seeking his extradition because Mann did not serve his sentence in the UK after deportation. | Portugal is seeking his extradition because Mann did not serve his sentence in the UK after deportation. |
| 'Serious concerns' | 'Serious concerns' |
| Jago Russell, Chief Executive of Fair Trials International, said: "Garry Mann could be on a flight as soon as tomorrow, sent to serve two years in a Portuguese jail after what is widely recognised was a grossly unfair trial. | Jago Russell, Chief Executive of Fair Trials International, said: "Garry Mann could be on a flight as soon as tomorrow, sent to serve two years in a Portuguese jail after what is widely recognised was a grossly unfair trial. |
| "It is a travesty of justice that the British courts, the government and now the European Court of Human Rights appear happy to sit back and let this happen." | "It is a travesty of justice that the British courts, the government and now the European Court of Human Rights appear happy to sit back and let this happen." |
| The former firefighter was found guilty of rioting in Albufeira on the Algarve during Euro 2004 and was deported but was not made to serve the sentence in the UK. | The former firefighter was found guilty of rioting in Albufeira on the Algarve during Euro 2004 and was deported but was not made to serve the sentence in the UK. |
| His lawyers claimed he underwent a fast-track procedure which produced an unfair trial. | His lawyers claimed he underwent a fast-track procedure which produced an unfair trial. |
| A British police officer described his trial in Albufeira as "a farce". | A British police officer described his trial in Albufeira as "a farce". |
| Mann has always denied the charge and Home Office officials said at the time he would not serve his sentence in the UK because there was no legislative framework to support it. | Mann has always denied the charge and Home Office officials said at the time he would not serve his sentence in the UK because there was no legislative framework to support it. |
| In March, Lord Justice Moses delayed his extradition pending an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. | In March, Lord Justice Moses delayed his extradition pending an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. |
| He said delays to the case gave him "serious concern" and "lends force to the belief that a serious injustice" had been committed against Mr Mann. | He said delays to the case gave him "serious concern" and "lends force to the belief that a serious injustice" had been committed against Mr Mann. |
| Violent clashes | Violent clashes |
| He suggested the whole case was an "embarrassment", after he gave his judgment. | He suggested the whole case was an "embarrassment", after he gave his judgment. |
| Violent clashes erupted between England fans and police in Albufeira, in the Algarve, on 15 June, 2004. | Violent clashes erupted between England fans and police in Albufeira, in the Algarve, on 15 June, 2004. |
| Mann claimed he was arrested, beaten and deprived of sleep by police, then tried and found guilty of taking part in the disturbance less than 48 hours later. | Mann claimed he was arrested, beaten and deprived of sleep by police, then tried and found guilty of taking part in the disturbance less than 48 hours later. |
| He said CCTV footage that could have proved he was in a bar away from the violence was never seen by the court and had been destroyed. | He said CCTV footage that could have proved he was in a bar away from the violence was never seen by the court and had been destroyed. |
| Portuguese police denied using unnecessary force against fans and mistreating those arrested. | Portuguese police denied using unnecessary force against fans and mistreating those arrested. |
| Melanie Cumberland, acting for the Portuguese authorities, told a hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in March 2009 that Mann had been "arrested red-handed" at the scene. | Melanie Cumberland, acting for the Portuguese authorities, told a hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in March 2009 that Mann had been "arrested red-handed" at the scene. |