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Sikh diaspora bodies welcome Portugal decision to deny extradition of Paramjit Singh Pamma

February 13, 2016 | By Parmjeet Singh

London: A press release issued today Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) says: [P]ortugal’s Justice Minister Francisca van Dunem has rejected the request by Indian authorities to release the 42-year-old father-of-four to their custody.

Police officers who had arrived from the Punjab to pick Paramjeet Singh Pamma up had already been ‘routed’ by a criminal complaint put in by Mr Singh’s legal team alleging past acts of torture of prisoners in jail, the statement reads.

But now India’s bid to detain Paramjeet Singh Pamma on what it called terrorist charges has been firmly kicked in the teeth, SFJ said.

SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Pannun – who has been at the head of the legal fight since Mr Singh was arrested in Albufeira before Christmas – is now on his way to Beja jail to secure his client’s release, and prepare for an emotional journey home.

This has been an issue that inflamed sikhs across the world.

Since taking up the story in December, the Resident has been in touch with multiple sources, all of whom stressed India’s appalling human rights record.

A member of Paramjeet Singh Pamma’s defence team reportedly told RTP news today that the arrest was politically motivated from the start.

“It is not the first time Interpol Red Notices have been used for political purposes”, the spokesman for Sikhs for Justice told the news channel.

Sikh Federation UK thanks Portugal, supporters:

“We’re delighted by the news”, said the Sikh Federation (UK) today, stressing it is “grateful that the Minister of Justice in Portugal has rejected the false case by the Indian Government and its efforts to defame the Sikh community and Paramjeet Singh”.

“On behalf of Paramjeet SIngh and his family we would like to thanks all those who participated and supported in the political and legal campaign to secure Paramjeet Singh’s release and stop the illegal extradition to India. We are grateful that the Minister of Justice in Portugal has rejected the false case by the India Government and their efforts to defame the Sikh community and Paramjeet Singh”, said Bhai Amrik Singh Gill, chairman of the Sikh Federation UK.

Portugal Upheld Human Rights: United Sikhs

“Sikh nation salutes Portugal for upholding human rights for refugees like Paramjeet Singh by refusing India’s extradition request”, said United Sikhs, a US based civil rights group.

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Related Topics: Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, Indian State, Paramjeet Singh Pamma, Sikh Diaspora, Sikh Federation UK, Sikhs for Justice, Sikhs in United Kingdom, United Sikhs

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