Support Karl Watkins’ Private Prosecution of Babar Ahmad and Talha Ahsan

On 6 September 2012, the BBC reported that a British businessman Karl Watkins had instructed solicitors to commence a private prosecution against Babar Ahmad and Talha Ahsan.

Mr Watkins has stated that he has taken this action because of the public interest in trying British citizens, accused of crimes committed in the UK, in British courts. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has until now refused to prosecute either man.

Anyone can bring a private prosecution if they can prove that it is in the public interest to do so. The DPP has the power to intervene to take on the case or to stop it. It all depends on whether prosecution can be shown to be in the public interest or not. He is likely to make this decision this week.

Over 149,000 members of the British public signed an e-petition last year calling for Babar Ahmad to be tried in the UK. It is essential that we once again demonstrate that this is a matter of deep public concern – there is public interest in domestic prosecutions for British citizens accused of conduct that took place in the UK.

To this end, we urge all supporters to

(i) write to the DPP asking him to take on the private prosecution

(ii) request your MP to make similar representations to the DPP

Personalised letters always carry more weight but templates are below for your convenience.

Write to the DPP

Please send your emails to  [email protected]

Kindly send a copy of your correspondence and any replies received to  [email protected]

Dear Mr Starmer

Re: Karl Watkins’ Prosecution of Babar Ahmad & Talha Ahsan

I am one of the 149,441 members of the British public who signed the e-petition last year to put Babar Ahmad on trial in the UK. I have read a report on BBC that a businessman Karl Watkins has now initiated a private prosecution of Mr Ahmad and another British citizen, Syed Talha Ahsan. Mr Watkins has said that he is bringing these proceedings because of the failure of the CPS to take appropriate action.

The BBC reported that Mr Watkins had secured admissions from Mr Ahmad and Mr Ahsan of their involvement with the websites that form the basis of the allegations against them, and that these had been sent to you in addition to all of the other evidence against them.

It is neither correct nor just that two British citizens have been imprisoned without trial for over 14 years between them, irrespective of the nature of the crimes they are accused of. Given the enormous public interest in securing British justice for British citizens where the conduct took place in the UK, and the new evidence provided to you by Mr Watkins, I request that you take on his private prosecution.

In 2005, Judge Timothy Workman said he found Mr Ahmad’s case “troubling” because he is “a British Citizen who is alleged to have committed offences which if the evidence were available, could have been prosecuted in this country.”

I urge you to act in the interests of justice and the public interest and put these men on trial.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

[INSERT NAME]

[INSERT FULL ADDRESS AND POSTCODE]

Write to your MP

Kindly send a copy of your correspondence and any replies received to  [email protected]

Please visit http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/ to locate the contact details for your MP.

Alternatively you can:

1. Visit http://www.writetothem.com

2. Enter your full UK postcode.

3. Select the hyperlink under “Your Member of Parliament”.

4. Enter your full name, address and email.

5. Copy and paste our template letter below. You can personalise your letter whilst keeping the main points.

6. Preview and send your message.

7. Ensure you check your email to confirm your message, or it will not be sent to your MP.

8. If you experience any technical difficulties whilst sending your message please visit www.theyworkforyou.com to obtain your MP’s contact details, by entering your postcode and following the link to their personal website.

Kindly send a copy of your correspondence and any replies received to  [email protected]

Dear [INSERT MP NAME]

Re: Karl Watkins’ Prosecution of Babar Ahmad & Talha Ahsan.

I am a constituent of yours and one of the 149,441 members of the British public who signed the e-petition last year to put Babar Ahmad on trial in the UK.

I read on BBC that a private prosecution of Mr Ahmad and another British citizen, Syed Talha Ahsan, has been initiated by a businessman, Karl Watkins. Mr Watkins has said that he is bringing these proceedings because of the failure of the CPS to take appropriate action. The BBC reported that Mr Watkins’ has secured admissions from Mr Ahmad and Mr Ahsan of their involvement with the websites that form the basis of the allegations against them, and sent it to the DPP in addition to other evidence against them.

It is neither correct nor just that two British citizens have been imprisoned without trial for over 14 years between them. Rather, they should be tried in a British court of law. Both justice and the British public demand it. There is public interest in domestic prosecutions for British citizens accused of conduct that took place in the UK.

I request that you, as my MP, write to the DPP and ask him to take on and continue Mr Watkins’ prosecution of these two men.

Please send me a copy of any correspondence you send to or receive from the DPP.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

[INSERT NAME]

[INSERT FULL ADDESS AND POSTCODE]