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Truckfest wives cry freedom

8th May 2003, Page 8
8th May 2003
Page 8
Page 9
Page 8, 8th May 2003 — Truckfest wives cry freedom
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Keywords : Penology, Prison

• This weekend's Truckfest saw two women campaigning for the release of their husbands from foreign jails, and the launch of a blue ribbon appeal to highlight the number of British truck drivers held in overseas jails.

The blue ribbon appeal was launched by Emma Vasey, whose husband John is in Perpignan prison after French customs found cannabis in a sealed pallet—which the consignment note listed as containing ceramic tiles—that he had picked up from a regular Spanish client (CM 20-26 March).

"John has been remanded for four months with

no sign of a hearing date, and French law states that a prisoner can be held for 24 months without trial."

So far, the family has spent 22,000 on legal fees, and the blue ribbon appeal is an attempt to help raise more money for this. However, Vasey, together with TrucknetUK boss Rikki Chequer, plan to extend the appeal to help other families who are caught in similar situations.

Bradford-based Tracey Wilson is collecting signatures and donations for the 'Free Willy' campaign, a petition to have her husband David released from a Greek jail. He was sent to jail by a Greek judge after 19 Kurdish immigrants were found on-board his truck when he sailed into Patras port. The judge sent him to prison for 11 years, despite the stowaways confirming that he did not know they were on-board (CM27 March-2 April).

'We have been told by the Greek authorities that if we pay £22,000 pending an appeal, David could be released from prison. We are appealing to help raise the money as soon as possible because of the conditions he is being held in."

Fair Trials Abroad is helping both families, and Chequer says TrucknetUK will continue the blue ribbon appeal after both men are home. "We want to help raise money for all the drivers who are in prison overseas."


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