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via John O Wed, June 17, 2009 Dear Friends, At last we are able to write to you with some good news! Samar and Jawad are finally free! Jawad was released last August and is now happily living in London with his wife and daughter Zeina (born in May). Samar was released at the end of April and immediately deported to Lebanon where she was reunited with her parents, family and friends. We apologise for the length of time it has taken, particularly to inform you of Jawad's release. Since he was to be living in Britain, we had to take advice from lawyers and allow him time to settle and fulfill all his conditions of release before making it public. Both Samar and Jawad would like to thank everyone for their support. It is clear that although we could not secure an earlier release we did expose many injustices and our support did matter to both of them and helped sustain them through many bleak years in prison. Below are words of gratitude from Jawad and Samar: "Thank you for your support which gave me the opportunity and means to fight back against this injustice. This kept me sane in the harshest places and moments and allowed me to re-build my life quickly upon release. I am eternally grateful for your support, concern and solidarity.” Jawad Botmeh "As you know by now, I'll shortly be deported back to Lebanon. Thus will be the end of a long and difficult journey which would have been impossible without you. And though 'legally' I am still a convicted and 'condemned' person, you have also made it possible to bring some truth and justice, especially in the face of so many odds . . . So this short note is to try to somehow express to all of you, to each and everyone once again, my sincerest thanks, greatest appreciation and deepest respect for all your help, support, hard work and understanding throughout the years. For believing in our case, in Jawad and in me; for giving us chances; for sticking with truth and justice despite all the injustices, lies, distortions and pressures, on top of my own mistakes, especially when so many would have easily run away, turned or condemned. For not being swayed by blind power. It is people like you who bring change, justice and peace to this troubled world, through true speech as well as actions, kindness and more . . . I feel truly humbled and privileged and I am indeed very much indebted - happily - all my life to you. Please accept these meager words as small tokens of great heartfelt gratitude and real truthful appreciation. My best wishes to all of you for the future. Let's all keep hoping, praying, working or doing whatever we can for better times and a better world for everyone.” Samar Alami The campaign will be winding up with a conference early in 2010. More details of that will be sent in due course. Many thanks again for all your support. 'Freedom and Justice for Samar and Jawad' campaign would not have prevailed without you. 'Freedom and Justice for Samar and Jawad' ~ 17th June 2009 On 11 December 1996, Samar Alami, a Lebanese Palestinian woman, and Jawad Background: Botmeh, a Palestinian man, were wrongfully convicted of conspiracy in relation to the bombings of the Israeli Embassy and Balfour House in London in 1994. Both were sentenced to an extraordinary twenty years in prison, after which they would face deportation. 17th June 2009 |