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MEP takes up UK driver's case
Page 8
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w The Euro MP acting for a truck driver jailed in Greece for smuggling refugees says the Greek authorities have breached Human Rights by failing to give him a fair trial.
Richard Corbett MEP has now flown out with British Embassy officials to visit David Wilson in Alcida prison. Wilson, who owns Bradfordbased 3D Transport, was stopped by Greek Customs In Patras two weeks ago. His truck was searched and 19 Iraqi immigrants found on-board.
Wilson denied all knowledge of their presence in his vehicle but was sentenced to 11 years' Imprisonment, fined .£47,000 and thrown into jail within 24 hours of being stepped (CM 27 March-3 April).
Corbett says that the British Embassy in Athens was not informed of Wilson's arrest until after his trial and so It was too late for them to provide him with one of their lawyers. Instead, the Greek authorities Imposed upon Wilson a local lawyer, who only spoke Greek and an interpreter who was the town's local jeweller.
"This is a farcical situation for such a serious charge," says Corbett. "It is a serious breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states that everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence."
Wilson's wife Tracy says that she is extremely pleased that Corbett has visited her husband: "We have been campaigning for two weeks now and, at last, things seem to be moving along. We now have a Greek lawyer who speaks English so are just waiting to see what happens. Hopefully, David will be released soon," she adds.