If certification is given by the High Court, then the appeal to the House of Lords can begin on the points of public importance. Failing that, the last appeal stage is to the European Court of Human Rights.

If certification is not given by the High Court, then the appeal stage to the House of Lords will not go ahead. After that extradition is a real possibilty within a short space of time, as previous cases have shown.

BACKGROUND: Babar Ahmad is a British citizen who was born and brought up in South London.

In December 2003 he was arrested by Anti-Terrorist Police who broke into his house in a pre-dawn raid. He was then brutally assaulted in front of his wife. He sustained over 50 injuries to his body, two of which were life-threatening. During this attack Babar was placed in the prayer position and asked, "Where is your God now?"

After six days of intensive investigation he was released WITHOUT CHARGE.

Babar filed a complaint against the police officers who assaulted him. Despite photographic evidence of his injuries, independent medical reports and eye-witness statements, the Crown Prosecution Service decided that there was "insufficient evidence" to prosecute any of the officers involved.

On 5th August 2004 Babar was re-arrested on an Extradition Warrant from the United States of America.

APPEAL: Write to Babar with words of encouragement (01.12.06)

Following the decision by the High Court in London yesterday, the Free Babar Ahmad Campaign is requesting all supporters to write to Babar with words of encouragement. When a similar appeal was launched in August 2004, after Babar's arrest, he received over 1000 pieces of mail within a short space of time. The appeal was so successful to the extent that the prison guards at Woodhill commented that he was the most popular prisoner! This will only take a few minutes of your time but can be a source of reward for remembering a prisoner in his time of need, especially following yesterday's decision.

PLEASE NOTE: Babar was moved to HMP Belmarsh yesterday in the afternoon. Indications from his legal team is that the move is not related to the decision by the High Court yesterday. As people may be aware, the regime in Belmarsh is not like the regime in Woodhill, and therefore all the more reason for people to write to Babar.

There is a famous saying of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) where he said: "Whoever relieves a believer's distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the hereafter… Allah is helping the servant as long as the servant is helping his brother." (Muslim)

Benefits of writing to a prisoner include easing their distress, helping to shoulder their difficulties, boosting their morale, and giving them determination to remain positive. We all love to receive letters or emails from friends or family, even if it is a simple hello. At a time when you are away from family and friends, it is appreciated even more.

The address to write to Babar is below:

Babar Ahmad MX 5383
HMP Belmarsh
Western Way
Thamesmead
London
SE28 0EB

You can send in a letter or card up to the size of an A4 (nothing in Jiffy envelopes please as they will be treated as parcels and take longer to reach him). Please do not send in spare paper, a spare envelope or stamps as he will not be allowed them.

(Due to the extent of the mail that he received during our last appeal in August 2004, Babar was unable to write back to everyone. This could be the same problem this time around so please do not be disappointed.)