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Fan's High Court bid for freedom Fan's High Court bid for freedom
(about 2 hours later)
Jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields is due to take his bid for freedom to the High Court in London.Jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields is due to take his bid for freedom to the High Court in London.
He is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria, but maintains his innocence.He is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria, but maintains his innocence.
Bulgarian officials have said his release rests with authorities in the UK, where he is serving his sentence.Bulgarian officials have said his release rests with authorities in the UK, where he is serving his sentence.
He is seeking a judicial review at the High Court after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to issue a free pardon cancelling his conviction. Shields, 22, is seeking a judicial review at the High Court after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to issue a free pardon cancelling his conviction.
Mr Straw had told the 22-year-old's supporters he had no jurisdiction to consider either a pardon or an early release - and insisted it was down to Bulgarian authorities. Mr Straw has said he has no jurisdiction to consider either a pardon or an early release - and insisted it was down to Bulgarian authorities.
The review call will challenge his ruling regarding "the power to grant a pardon to repatriated prisoners wrongly convicted in a foreign jurisdiction".The review call will challenge his ruling regarding "the power to grant a pardon to repatriated prisoners wrongly convicted in a foreign jurisdiction".
Michael Shields is currently serving the remainder of his sentence, which was cut to 10 years on appeal in Bulgaria, at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria. 'Travesty of justice'
Shields is currently serving the remainder of his sentence, which was cut to 10 years on appeal in Bulgaria, at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria.
He maintains he is innocent, and Fair Trials Abroad has described his conviction as a blatant miscarriage of justice.He maintains he is innocent, and Fair Trials Abroad has described his conviction as a blatant miscarriage of justice.
His mother, Marie Shields, recently met the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, at 10 Downing Street to discuss her son's case. His mother Marie recently met the prime minister's wife, Sarah Brown, at 10 Downing Street to discuss her son's case.
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, has described the case as "a travesty of justice".The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, has described the case as "a travesty of justice".
He said: "I have talked and listened to Michael on a number of occasions and I too believe that he is innocent."He said: "I have talked and listened to Michael on a number of occasions and I too believe that he is innocent."
Michael Shields was convicted in Bulgaria of attacking a barman who had a paving slab dropped on his head. Shields also has the backing of the team he supports. Liverpool's players wore "Free Michael now" T-shirts while warming up for Monday's game with West Ham at Anfield.
The incident followed Liverpool's Champions League final victory in May 2005. The 22-year-old was convicted in Bulgaria of attacking a barman who had a paving slab dropped on his head.
The incident followed Liverpool's Champions League final victory in Istanbul in May 2005.