Islamic Movement’s Salah set to fight deportation from UK
Lawyer for head of Islamic Movement’s northern branch says formal notice of Appeal has been lodged despite difficulties.
By JONNY PAUL JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENTSheikh Raed Salah 311(photo credit: Ben Hartman)
LONDON – Raed Salah, the leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, will challenge the deportation order issued by British authorities last week, according to his lawyer.On Friday, Salah was transferred from an immigration detention center to a prison.RELATED:Raed Salah awaits UK deportation after entering despite banThe rise of Raed SalahOn the same day, Salah’s lawyers lodged a formal appeal against the deportation order.“No good reason for this transfer has been given,” his lawyer, Tayeb Ali, said. “The transfer to prison will significantly interfere with the preparation of Mr. Salah’s appeal against the deportation order.”Salah has until Wednesday to appeal.According to his lawyer, the prison has informed him that his legal team will not be able to visit him until July 11 – five days after the deadline.“Mr. Salah remains resolute and determined to challenge the deportation order,” Ali said on Saturday. “Despite the difficulties his transfer to prison poses for us, a formal notice of appeal against the deportation order was lodged on Friday. We are confident that the order will be overturned.”Ali said his client had been wrongly accused and that he is “a man of peace.” He also accused the government of turning its back on the Palestinians.“The home secretary has grossly misjudged my client,” Ali said. “In stark contrast to the false picture that has been painted, he is a man of peace, a widely respected leader who campaigns tirelessly for his people.
“By attempting to silence him in the UK, the government is turning its back on the Palestinian people. The merits of the home secretary’s order are now a matter for the courts.”
