Euro-MPs to take up the campaign to free Michael Shields

May 28 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

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EURO-MPS have joined the campaign to free Liverpool football fan Michael Shields jailed in Bulgaria for attempted murder nearly three years ago.

Mr Shields, 21, was arrested after a brawl following Liverpool’s Champions League victory in Istanbul and convicted of attacking a barman with a concrete slab.

His original 15-year jail term was reduced on appeal to 10 years, and in November 2006 he was transferred to a UK jail to complete the sentence, after supporters raised money to pay a fine of £70,000, which amounted to more than £93,000 pounds with interest.

But questions remain about an alleged confession to the crime by another English football fan, Graham Sankey, who later withdrew his statement. And Bulgaria’s declaration that it is up to Justice Minister Jack Straw to decide whether or not Mr Shields is freed, has been rejected.

Now Liverpool’s Labour Euro MP, Arlene McCarthy, has won backing from the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee to take up the case with the Bulgarian authorities.

A formal petition was presented to the Committee in Brussels by Ms McCarthy and Mr Shields’ human rights lawyer, Pete Weatherby.

Ms McCarthy said: "Three Champions League finals have passed since that fateful final in May 2005 between Liverpool and AC Milan when Michael was first arrested, yet Michael Shields is still in prison waiting for justice to be served on his case.

"We are taking this petition because we are frustrated at the failure of the Bulgarian judicial authorities to engage with Michael Shields’ legal team."

Under a Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, a pardon or amnesty and sentence reduction can be triggered in consultations between the two countries concerned.

But Ms McCarthy said the Bulgarian authorities have not followed the necessary procedures, and cannot simply declare an end to their interest in the matter.