MR MOHAMMED MASSEH CHAUDHRY

Early day motion 810, tabled 7 June 2000 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 125 members.

That this House notes with grave concern that Mohammed Chaudhry, a British citizen, has been held without charge by the Saudi authorities since his arrest on 23rd June 1999 following a five month internal investigation first by Colonel Abdullah Al-Mugari of the Military Police and then by Colonel Ali Johani from the Ministry of Defence into variances resulting from stock-take amounting to approximately ú1.5 million of medical supplies at Riyadh Military Hospital where Mr Chaudhry worked in storage and distribution; notes that the stock-take was cancelled in writing by the Chief Executive of the hospital before the variances could be completely investigated; notes that the investigating authorities never carried out a stock-take to establish facts; notes that, despite the fact that no further questioning by the police investigating the case has taken place since the first few days after his arrest, Mr Chaudhry, who has always denied any wrong-doing, remains in prison, without access to his lawyer, whilst other employees, including his immediate superior; Captain Meshal, are free; believes that a year is more than sufficient time to investigate any crime of this nature, and that the continued detention of Mr Chaudhry is a breach of natural justice and internationally accepted human rights; and therefore calls on the Saudi authorities to either release him to return home or, in the unlikely event that there is any case to answer, to bring that case forward against Mr Chaudhry to enable him to defend himself in open court.

Signatures by party: Labour 85, Liberal Democrat 15, Conservative 8, Labour/Co-operative 8, UUP 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Independent Labour 1, UKUP 1.