Krishna Maharaj

EDM number 1667 in 2007-08, proposed by Peter Bottomley on 02/06/2008.
Categorised under the topics of Administration of justice, Human rights, North America and Prisons.

That this House asks respectfully that the Florida Board of Executive Clemency led by Governor Charlie Crist grant the application for release by Krishna Maharaj, the British national imprisoned for 22 years of which 10 were on death row; recognises that the role of clemency can have results similar in effect to the British process of the Criminal Cases Review Commission; thanks the Florida authorities for granting the waiver that has allowed the hearing on 5th June and welcomes the recent understanding letter by the British Foreign Secretary to the Governor that followed the letter last year giving the British Government's support for Mr Maharaj's clemency plea; knows that the clemency hearing is not a new trial that was not ordered by the appeal courts but understands that in retrospect it is agreed that there have been unusual numbers of difficulties and unanswered questions in the detection, prosecution, witness evidence, trial, sentencing and legal representation following the undoubted crimes; remembers that Mr Maharaj has been an exemplary prisoner, always calmly maintaining his innocence; and requests that the sentence be reduced to a length that allows the release of this elderly man in ill health so he would return to the United Kingdom.

This motion has been signed by a total of 35 MPs.