Background :  When Mike and Jason were extradited to Budapest, they were promised a phone call home on arrival, this did not happen.   So they asked to phone the British Consulate.  The Hungarian Police officer merely growled “No, they don’t want to speak to the likes of you!” They were held ‘incommunicado’.  It took the services of a Budapest Lawyer to find them and inform the British Consulate.   A spokesperson for the prison made a statement via Duna TV. Saying both men had been offered a phone call to their consulate but had declined!

THE PARCEL

After a long struggle we were told we could send a parcel; to provide some luxuries, toothpaste, soap, toilet roll etc.  We rushed off and paid for quickest delivery to Budapest- carefully checking the labelling was exactly right, prison rules (Must not get it wrong he would only be allowed 1 such parcel per month).

Mike was waiting anxiously for his parcel. They informed him it had arrived, he was elated, “But you are not having it”.  He was devastated. He was told the labelling was not right. He asked to speak to the British Consulate and again was refused. 

A very crushed Mike phoned home and asked if the British Consulate could be contacted on his behalf. 

After a chain of calls via the Foreign and Commonwealth office, we now believe it should be re-delivered to the prison – we await with interest.

They stopped him phoning the British Consulate because they knew the Embassy would intervene.  We complained on Mike’s behalf to the British Consulate that he had again been denied his right to contact the consulate in Budapest.

THE PRISON RESPONSE

Mike couldn’t phone the consulate because he had no money on his phone card (so, how had he managed to make an international call to complain about it)

The Hungarian Authorities were reminded that calling the Consulate was a right and not a privilege.  They replied that they had a card for emergencies but they did not consider phoning about a parcel was a emergency.

They miss the point; these calls should not be dependent on the value judgements of the captors.  Reasons given for wanting to call, maybe disguised due to fear of reprisals.  These are mandatory and important rights. These are very frightened and scared young men who are locked up 23 hours  a day with people who do not speak their language . They are not sure of the rules and have no way of finding out.

The Hungarian Authorities have been caught out, being deliberately  dishonest .  What chance of a fair trial? Especially with no Jury !

The 2003 European Extradition Act was rushed through the European Parliment to protect us from serious organised crime and international terrorism.

It was not designed to extradite the likes of Mike and Jason on relatively minor, unsubstantiated, accusations.  It was not designed to send innocent people to Eastern Europe, to be locked up without charge.

During the year long legal battle to oppose this extradition, Mike and Jason came across dozens of other extradition cases involving European Arrest Warrants.  Every one was issued by an Eastern European country, every one involved allegations of owing minor amounts of money.

This act against Mike and Jason appears to be an abuse of process.

So why was this piece of legislation used?  Why did the British Judiciary do nothing to stop it?

These questions must be addressed to protect our citizens in the future.

Graham Watson m.e.p steered this legislation through the European Courts.  The Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson m.p is the Home Secutary and responsible for extraditions from Britain.

Why not write to them and ask for an explanation and reassurances for the future.

Graham Watson MEP. Liberal Democrat.  SW England and Gibraltar  graham.watson@europarl.europa.eu

Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP. Home Secutary

2 Marsham Street, London, SW1 4DF.       Tel. 02070 354848

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Repeal the European Arrest Warrant (Extradition Act 2003).

Click link to visit website:

Well done once again to all those who supported the demo in London.

Mike and Jason are not only being discussed by UK and EU politicians but by people in Hungary.  So well done, your efforts have had the desired effect.

As, we now have Hungarian people, logging onto the blog, it is important to state:  This campaign is not meant to offend Hungarians, but, to call for fair play in Hungary, for everyone.  In Britain we generally enjoy better living standards than our fellow Hungarians.  We are aware that you have high hopes and expectations of joining Europe.  Our protest is aimed at lifting Hungarian standards to join a parity with ours.

Our message to our politicians is `Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy, but, you must act to protect them in a wider Europe and not allow them to be erroded`.

A positive outcome for this campaign, would be, a positive result for all the countries of Europe.

The protest group  assembled outside the Hungarian Embassy at Eaton Place, where they were met by Lord Dartmouth mep (UKIP).

Nobody answered the door at the Embassy, even though they had been given a week's notice of our intention to deliver letters by hand.

Suddenly armed police officers arrived and asked for the protest to stop.  Lord Dartmouth explained what was going on.

The police had been called by the Embassy to put a stop to our protest, but they hadn’t reckoned on the presence of Lord Dartmouth.  He stood his ground and would not be deterred from meeting our objectives.

After a lot of discussion, it was agreed that Lord Dartmouth and Michael’s father could deliver the letters.  Once inside the Hungarian Embassy, the consulate said "we have already received a great deal of mail regarding this matter, we have sent it all to Budapest, and they will all be answered individually.” 

Our mission complete it was time to re-embark upon the coach and head South West. Thank you Lord Dartmouth, it was a struggle, but we met our objectives.

The Campaign bus arrived outside the Houses of Parliament @ 12:30.  A well organised group of around 40 protesters then met, with Jim Knight MP for Dorset South.

Right MP for Dorset South.

He was handed letters for Alan Johnson, Home Secretary; Glenys Kinnock, Minster for Europe; Jack Straw; the Lord Chancellor and the Minster for Justice.

The message was that we want the release and repatriation of Mike and Jason. Also reassurances that no further British subjects would suffer the same fate while these 3rd world conditions prevail in the Hungarian justice and penal systems.
Jim Knight was a good host for the visit and promised every effort to remedy the situation. Only time will tell how strong he is.

The Dorset contingency will be travelling by coach (details below).  Meeting those travelling from other parts of the country at the Pubic entrance to the Houses of Parliament on Monday the 23rd November @ 12:30pm.

Banners and language:

Please remember there are so many good people in Hungary who are as outraged as we are by their government's behaviour in this matter.

London Demo Details:

                                                                                   Itinery

Coach departing Gilbert Road Swanage at 9:00am (please bring a packed lunch).

Castle Inn, Corfe Castle 9:20am

Wareham station 9:30am

Bournemouth bus coach station (train station) 9:50am

Arrive Westminster/Houses of Parliment 12:15pm

Meeting Rt Hon. Jim Knight 12:30pm. Location: weather permitting. Inside: in the Great Hall - the pubic entrance, or The Abingdon Green at the end of the building.

click link:

Depart for the Hungarian Embassy 1:15pm

click link:

Arrive at Embassy entrance (Eaton Place) 1:45 pm

Meet with Lord Dartmouth and hand in letters 2:00pm

Departure 2:30pm.

We are expecting good media coverage, including; several TV news teams . A lot of pre-recorded radio interviews have already been made, to broadcast throughout the day.

Let's give this matter as much public attention as possible for the benifit of both the people of Britain and Hungary.

Max Curtis, the International Corporate Affairs Mananager for Tesco has been in touch, to send us their best wishes and let us know that they are following the case with interest.                                                                                

In Budapest the Hungarian Press are starting to report the case of Mike and Jason.

We are waiting for a report from a Hungarian source but so far our local investigator has come up with an aticle that says 'We can confidently predict a juicy war of words in the British and Hungarian press'

Another refers to Mike and Jason as '...a potentially explosive case'

Most of what has come in so far is awaiting translation, but very soon we will put up some links , including to English reports from Budapest.

In the meantime please keep those letters going to the Hungarian Embassy.

You have the power to release Mike and Jason from this awful purgatory. History has shown that even the greatest tyrants can be hunbled by the might might of ordinary people.

Step One: Please, please write, the old fashioned way to : Borbala Czako, Ambassador of The Hungarian Republic, The Hungarian Embassy, 35 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8BY.

Explain: how you feel about their treatment of Mike and Jason. Two young men who invested their life savings in Hungary and lost everything.

Would you reccommend investing in Hungary or even going there on holiday?

Demand:  Their immediate release and repatriation.

They will be receiving a delegation from the 'Free Mike and Jason' camp next week, it really will help if they have already received letters of complaint.

So; please,please get writing it really will make a difference. We can and will get them out.

Friday was a day of bringing pressure to the Hungarian authorities, both by the BBC and the Right Hon. Jim Knight M.P.

This cumulated in a high when on Saturday, Michael was finally allowed to phone home!  This high note was only marred by the fact that there has still been no news from Jason.

Clearly the Hungarians are going to be as difficult as possible, but it will happen!

The news from Mike?

Well, straight from the horse's mouth, it`s true........ He still hasn`t been able to brush his teeth.  He is a strong young man and is holding up well. The `food` sounds  disgusting. Mike reported he had just been given his breakfast of white pork fat and a peice of bread.

When asked what priorities we could send he answered, the basics, soap, deoderant, toilet roll.....!

He explained that the Hungarian police treated them with contempt, making their intollerable position even more psychologically damaging.

We must work tirelessly,to get them out as soon as possible.

14:03 GMT, Friday, 13 November 2009

Video Feed click link to view: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8359168.stm

More in Latest Media Tab

There can be no doubt now that the Hungarian Authorities know what we think of them. They must realise that they have abused the trust of the British Judicary and offended the liberal decency of British people. The pressure is building.

The Right Honourable Jim Knight (Mike's mp) has written to the Hungarian Ambassador in London and asked for an explanation. He has also urged the Foriegn and Commonwealth Office to ask Her Majesty's Ambassador to Hungary Mr. Greg Dorey to remind the Hungarian authorities of their responsibilities.

On Monday 23rd nov.  We are going to London to officially hand letters to her Majesty's Government to demand action for the release of Mike and Jason.            

We will be met in the Great Hall of Westminster at 12.30pm. If you want to be there, watch this space for full details. Afterwards we are going to the Hungarian Embassy to hand in a formal letter of complaint to the Hungarian Ambassador under the watchful eye of the media.

For those who did not see the bbc coverage on South Today where Dr. Pakay was talking live from Budapest ,we are arranging a link .                      

If you possibly can please please, keep Monday 23rd November free and lets show the Hungarians that Mike and Jason are still right at the front of our hearts and minds. This is our first chance of a major protest, lets make sure we capitalise on this opportunity.

Dr. Pakay has reported back that their has been no improvement in the conditions in which they are being held.

Each in a different location in the prison so they cannot talk to each other.  They are held in a small cell with at least three other inmates for over twenty three hours a day.  With no reading material or occupation.  Still no basic human rights like a shower, this is week two now and Mike says he still hasn`t been able to clean his teeth but he has given up trying to complain.

They are still being held without charge.

Winston Churchill wrote;

Habeas corpus and trial by jury are the supreme protection of ordinary people from the state.  The power of the state casting a man into prison without formulating charge or deny him judgment by his peers is the odius foundation of totalitarian governments.

Jason, Mike you have a lot of support, we are all behind you and will not falter in our fight.

The Hungary 2 are now being talked about at the highest level. This is not a name we have made up but one that has been thrust upon us.

We are arranging a trip to London, to demand action from our government and also to hand in a letter of protest to the Ambassador at the Hungarian Embassy.

Keep watching for dates, we need all the support we can get!

We are also making progress in finding allies inside the Republic of Hungary.

Their appeal against detention was lodged today in Budapest by their defence lawyers.

Mike and Jason have now been moved to:

Budapest Penitentiary Institute

Object No.3

1108 Budapest

Maglodi ut 24

Building 2. Floor 7

It's a busy weekend and there is lots going on behind the scenes, more news on Monday.  Until then, God Bless you Michael and Jason, you are constantly in our hearts and minds.We will not rest until you are back with your families.

Lord Dartmouth has heard of the plight of Mike and Jason. He is dismayed at the way British people have become so appathetic about the erosion of their national rights. (He has not asked for this entry or requested a mention).

He has asked to be briefed so that he can put questions to the European Parliament.  Thank you.

If you want to know more about his activities in Europe log on to http://www.williamdartmouth.com/

MEP profile http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch/view.do?country=GB&partNumber=1&zone=South+West&language=EN&id=96958

Dire conditions

Dr Pakay Lawyer has been to visit Mike. Dr Pakay is not happy.  Conditions at the prison are dire and we believe insanitary.  Mike is now 5^th day of detention and not been able to brush his teeth let alone take a shower.  We have now learned that the European committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment (C.P.T.) have already criticised the Hungarian Republic.

Please, please, help us to get them out of there and avoid other British citizens being sent to the same fate.

Jason and Michael are being held in Hungary in direct contravention of their human rights under the European convention 1998. 

This is a disgrace and shames the Republic of Hungary and the good name of Europe in general.  We must do everything we can to pressure for Mike and Jason’s release from this primitive state, who clearly have no respect for our liberal western democratic values.

We must also lobby of course to make sure that no other British citizens are subject to the same extradition procedure.

Mike and Jason were put seperately before a court in Budapest today. The Court was in closed session, no Press or public allowed.

Despite Dr. Pakays (lawyer) arguements regarding European human rights, the Judge insisted "This is Hungary and Hungarian law will apply."

They were remanded in custody for a further 30 days even though no charges were laid against them. Even Terrorist suspects get better than that in this Country!

They still have no telephone calls (Jason's poor young wife at home coping with two young children and trying to keep a full time job down is going through hell).  Our heart goes out to her.

No visitors (except the lawyers)

This is a travesty and they should have never been extradited to this crude, savage regime.

They are being held at the secure police station in Gyorskocsi Utca Budapest. Click on the link to see video.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uc0o9sPFbY

Thanks to Dr. Pakay, Hungarian attorney and everyone’s efforts in canvassing, Mike and Jason have been visited by the British consulate in Budapest. Well done everyone.

They have concluded that generally Mike and Jason are both well.  The reason they have not had access to telephone etc. is “that is not how they do things”!

There is a court hearing @ 11.00 am tomorrow Thursday 5^th November and Dr. Pakay will be there.  We cannot attend because surprise surprise, it is a closed court with no public gallery!

Hungary is in breach of their obligations under the 1998 European Treaty on Human Rights, to which they are signatories.  They are now holding Mike and Jason illegally.

Mike and Jason surrendered voluntarily to the judicial authority of Hungary – Under  the 2003 European Extradition Treaty.  Britain honoured its obligations and their trust has been abused. 

We have asked the British Ambassador and Dr. Pakay to request their immediate release.

Tomorrow we will find out if the Iron Curtain has been drawn back or removed.

Mike and Jason are being held incommunicado, in direct breach of article 6 of the European Convention on Human rights.

Well Michael and Jason are now somewhere in Budapest.  We are still waiting to hear from them.  We have sent a Hungarian lawyer to find them,  but , he was denied access to them.  We have asked the British consulate to visit, but they say the Hungarian authorities have not informed them that they have Mike or Jason, they are going to investigate!

The politicians assured us they had agreed a parity of systems

1.       Thugs in balaclavas as police officers.

2.       No access to a telephone.

3.       No notification to their consulate.

4.       Denial of access to visitors.

5.       Not allowed a choice of lawyer but must have the one the court appoints.

6.       There will be no jury trial.  Well that just about sums it up!

Let’s hope this is not a parity of systems!

Michael’s member of parliament is jimknightmp@parliament.uk  who has been asked to contact the relevant minster and sort this out.  As yet we have had no reply, why not click on the link and have your say.

Jason has to say goodbye to his 2 little girls and loving wife, then travel alone by train.

Mike has a busy day( running a village pub the locals have become very vocal).  The day starts with an interview and photoshoot with the Bournemouth Daily Echo.  En route, serveral telephone interviews with journalists and a hurried visit to the Southampton BBC studios, where the cameras waiting.

Everyones aware of the time constraints, so, its straight on to Gatwick, where an ITV news crew are waiting to film the handover. This could be a first.  Everyone heads to the Hungarain airlines desk Malev.  Here we meet a very nice lady from Special Branch,  who soon located her opposite number, a very nice lady from Interpol.  All was well until she noticed the T.V. crew - who likened the situation  to something from a James Bond film.

Interpol lady then commented that she didnt realise this was a high profile extradition, so she will have to brief the team.!

The Hungarains appear aggitated and Interpol lady said she did'nt realise there would be T.V. cameras.  She says her team (3 or 4 huge muscley guys who look like a bullet wouldnt penetrate them) are from Hungarain special forces, and if cameras are present they should be wearing their balaclava masks.  The news crew get excited - one says they are not going to stop us filming masks will make good t.v.. they are in Britain now, thats not how we do things.  This is Britain and its Gatwick Airport.  Therefore they forget, everyone and everything is being monitored on T.V.  Within a couple of minutes half a dozen heavily armed police officers, (All with Sussex Police written on their caps and their I.D. numbers clearly visible and no mention of masks) arrive on the scene. 

Things are hotting up, if Mike and Jason were'nt scared enough, this was not reassuring them of the parity that our Politicians had promised and they were still on English soil.

With that the Hungarian Interpol lady says, we must go and in the blink of an eye they are gone behind the screens to the departure area.  Lets hope the parity appears in Budapest.

A member of the Serious Organised Crime Agency.  www.soca.gov.uk (instigated  to protect us from the higher echelons of organised crime and international terrorism) is handing over Mike and Jason to 4 members of Hungarys elite equivilent, overkill is too small a word!  They will then board Hungarian national airlines Malev flight no.  MA615 bound for Budapest.  

This extradition has taken place due to the European Extradition act 2003.

1.  It is a piece of European legislation, but, no referal to the European court is allowed.

2.  We are told we have the protection of the 1998 European Human Rights act.  But! European politicians have cleverly agreed to exclude extradition in Europe, saying that there is a parity in all member states.  Who are they kidding!

3. We were told that this act was needed to protect us from organised crime & terrorism.  Now they use it willy nilly & completely disproportionately

4. Next, no-one will be safe from the secret police turning up to take them to the other side of Europe.

This website will suggest ways you can help as we progress.  In the meantime please write to your M.P. and request that he/she asks the Foreign Secretary to demand their release. 

ACT NOW!