Michael Shields to Lodge New EP Petition to Clear His Name

Justice Secretary Jack Straw issued the royal pardon on Wednesday, saying that Shields (pictured) was "morally and technically innocent". Photo by AFP

Michael Shields, the Liverpool fan convicted of attacking a barman in Bulgaria, who was given a royal pardon in his home country, is preparing a new petition to the European Parliament in a bid to clear his name.

This became clear from the statement of North West Labour MEP Arlene McCarthy, who tabled the first appeal in Shields' defense in Strasbourg.

Arlene McCarthy insisted that Bulgaria has a "moral duty" to prove it is beating corruption by reviewing Michael Shields' conviction and called for the parliament to contact Bulgarian authorities immediately.

"Jack Straw released Michael Shields from prison, as the evidence clearly demonstrates that he is morally and technically innocent of the crime.

"Michael was charged, convicted and imprisoned by the Bulgarian authorities in a process lasting less than two months.

"This conviction was based solely on flawed ID evidence, and came despite a total lack of forensic evidence, and the signed confession of another man.

"Michael has passed a polygraph test, and witnesses have given evidence that he wasn't at the scene of the crime. At the same time there is multiple evidence pointing to the confessed attacker.

"Despite this it has taken four years for the campaign for justice for Michael to secure his release, and shamefully the Bulgarian authorities have failed, and still fail, to correct their mistake.

"A petition remains before the parliament citing the failure of the Bulgarian courts to consider the alternative evidence in this case.

"I have every confidence in the new Bulgarian Government who have pledged to reform the justice system and acknowledged the weaknesses in the past regarding corruption and judicial reform. I believe they have a moral duty to reopen this file."

The European Commission Secretariat said the petition has not been yet officially filed.

 

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