DEATH OF MR EDGAR FERNANDES

Early day motion 1642, tabled 8 September 2003 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 60 members.

That this House notes the fact that Mr Edgar Fernandes was killed on 10th April 1998 and that his body was dumped in the River Bosphorus in Istanbul; further notes that, because of the work and efforts of his family, the killer of Edgar Fernandes was traced to Malta and was then extradited from Malta to Turkey to stand trial; welcomes the work that was done by the Maltese Government, the Turkish Government and the British Foreign Office in assisting with the capture of Abbas Ali; is shocked, however, to learn that on 31st July a court in Turkey released Mr Ali on unconditional bail rather than pass a verdict on his case or a sentence on him; notes the fact that he is due to appear in court on 8th October; and hopes that the Foreign Office will do everything within its power to urge the Turkish authorities to make sure that a proper verdict is returned and that, if Mr Ali is convicted, a proper sentence is imposed.

Signatures by party: Labour 43, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 3, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.