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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Human rights raised at Anwar case | Human rights raised at Anwar case |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The human rights group Liberty is being given unprecedented access to a Scottish court in a case involving solicitor Aamer Anwar. | The human rights group Liberty is being given unprecedented access to a Scottish court in a case involving solicitor Aamer Anwar. |
| Mr Anwar is appearing before three judges at the High Court in Edinburgh, who will decide whether he has committed contempt of court. | Mr Anwar is appearing before three judges at the High Court in Edinburgh, who will decide whether he has committed contempt of court. |
| The case follows a statement he made at the end of the trial of an Alva man convicted of terrorism charges. | The case follows a statement he made at the end of the trial of an Alva man convicted of terrorism charges. |
| Liberty will tell the court the case is an attack on free speech. | Liberty will tell the court the case is an attack on free speech. |
| The group has been briefed by the leading human rights lawyers Michael Mansfield QC and Lady Helena Kennedy. | The group has been briefed by the leading human rights lawyers Michael Mansfield QC and Lady Helena Kennedy. |
| Mr Anwar made his comments following the trial of Mohammed Atif Siddique outside the High Court in Glasgow in September. | Mr Anwar made his comments following the trial of Mohammed Atif Siddique outside the High Court in Glasgow in September. |
| Moments after the jury delivered its verdict, he said it was "a tragedy for justice and for freedom of speech". | Moments after the jury delivered its verdict, he said it was "a tragedy for justice and for freedom of speech". |
| We're all here today because what Aamer is being tried for is a threat to the whole of the civil liberties of Scotland Hugh KerrSolidarity | |
| The trial judge, Lord Carloway, accused the solicitor of making "disparaging remarks" about him, the jury, and the prosecution and called Mr Anwar before him to explain his conduct. | The trial judge, Lord Carloway, accused the solicitor of making "disparaging remarks" about him, the jury, and the prosecution and called Mr Anwar before him to explain his conduct. |
| The solicitor told the judge he had made the statement on behalf of his client. | The solicitor told the judge he had made the statement on behalf of his client. |
| About 60 supporters from various campiagn groups held a rally at the court before Tuesday's hearing. They believe the action against Mr Anwar amounts to an attack on the fundamental right of lawyers to represent their clients. | About 60 supporters from various campiagn groups held a rally at the court before Tuesday's hearing. They believe the action against Mr Anwar amounts to an attack on the fundamental right of lawyers to represent their clients. |
| Mr. Anwar's legal team will argue that this is enshrined in the European Human Rights Declaration which guarantees free speech. | Mr. Anwar's legal team will argue that this is enshrined in the European Human Rights Declaration which guarantees free speech. |
| Speaking outside the court, Hugh Kerr, of the Solidarity party, said: "We're all here today because what Aamer is being tried for is a threat to the whole of the civil liberties of Scotland. | |
| "If he'd said this outside any court in England, then there would be no problem at all. Many solicitors have said much more radical things than Aamer did. | "If he'd said this outside any court in England, then there would be no problem at all. Many solicitors have said much more radical things than Aamer did. |
| "He is defending the right to comment on the political background to trials in Scotland and we are here to defend his right to do so." | "He is defending the right to comment on the political background to trials in Scotland and we are here to defend his right to do so." |
| High-profile backers | High-profile backers |
| This is understood to be the first time in the UK that a solicitor has faced a contempt of court allegation, following the conviction of a client and in relation to comments made outside court. | This is understood to be the first time in the UK that a solicitor has faced a contempt of court allegation, following the conviction of a client and in relation to comments made outside court. |
| If he is held in contempt, Mr Anwar, who is based in Glasgow, could be jailed or fined. | If he is held in contempt, Mr Anwar, who is based in Glasgow, could be jailed or fined. |
| More than 100 high-profile figures backed the solicitor at the weekend, signing a letter declaring their support for him. | More than 100 high-profile figures backed the solicitor at the weekend, signing a letter declaring their support for him. |
| Among them were author Iain Banks, anti-war campaigner Rose Gentle, and Paddy Hill, one of the Birmingham Six. | Among them were author Iain Banks, anti-war campaigner Rose Gentle, and Paddy Hill, one of the Birmingham Six. |
| Liberty regularly undertakes these "third-party interventions" in England and Wales in cases of major public interest, but this will be the first time it has done so in Scotland. | Liberty regularly undertakes these "third-party interventions" in England and Wales in cases of major public interest, but this will be the first time it has done so in Scotland. |
| Siddique was found guilty of providing material on bomb-making and weapons training, and threatening to become a suicide bomber. | Siddique was found guilty of providing material on bomb-making and weapons training, and threatening to become a suicide bomber. |
| He was jailed for eight years. | He was jailed for eight years. |