- There would have been no case against him if he had criticized Christianity or Judaism, this happens because he criticizes Islam, says the American lawyer Samuel Nunberg in imagined Mediterranean East Forum to day.
American supporters believe the case against Imran Firasat sets a terrifying precedent in Europe.
- There was a court hearing yesterday that confirmed the intention to disclose Firasat to Indonesia, which has indicted him for murder. Prosecutors demanded custody and got support for it, even though we argued the contrary, writes lawyer Alexandr Voronyuk in an email to supporters.
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The lawyers are now preparing an appeal on pretrial detention while they prepare a case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
- We must first visit the Constitutional Court of Spain, but we are preparing for urgenthuman rights court on the basis of "Rule 39" .
Rule 39 is a possibility Court of Human Rights has to postpone national decisions, such as the expulsion order, the pending a hearing on the merits. Decisions under this section shall be granted only when implementation can cause "severe irreversible damage", which Firasats lawyers believe a penalty is a Muslim country could provide Firasat.
Although Islam criticism of Imran Firasat has given him many enemies, it has also given him many supporters worldwide. There are so many people interested in Firasats situation, the lawyers now asking for coordination:
"We ask that anyone who will help Firasat coordinate their communication. We receive messages from many people who are worried Firasat writes Alexandr Voronyuk in their email.
Demonstration
The Norwegian support group is one of those working for the matter to Firasat. Saturday they are planning a demonstration in front of the Spanish Embassy.
- I encourage anyone who has heart in the right place to meet up outside the Spanish embassy Saturday at 12 with slogans about the requirement that the Spanish authorities reverses decision to send out Imran from Spain, says Liv Find Seth, head of the support group.
American support
- Middle East Forum has worked with Imran Firasat since 2011. Now we are most concerned about what looks like a coordinated effort by Spanish police, immigration authorities and courts, says Samuel Nunberg, legal director of the New York-based think tank Middle East Forum , who primarily works with yringsfrihetssaker in the United States and Europe related to the Middle East.
- The court cases against Firasat have not been fair. They seem rather coordinated with the aim to deport him because they think he is a danger to national security, says Nunberg.
Nunberg emphasizes that there has not been a single violent incident after Firasat released film "The Innocent Prophet" or related to his criticism of Islam. Spanish authorities refers to Islamist attacks on the United States Embassy in Benghazi was triggered by the American pastor Terry Jones' film "Innocence of Muslims." However, this has been rejected by an investigation made for the United States Senate.
- It seems as if destined, that the whole thing is a fraud and conspiracy, says Nunberg, which has approached Spain's UN envoy without getting any response.
Homeland security
- They think he's a danger to national security. It is shameful and this is about to put a horrible precedent in Europe this is not stopped, says Nunberg.
He stressed that it would be seen as serious if someone had performed a similar criticism of Christianity or Judaism.
- It's only because he criticizes Islam that Spanish authorities responding, he said.
- You have followed the case for long. If in doubt that this case is about freedom of speech?
- No, I have absolutely no doubt that this is a case about free speech. None of this would have happened if he had made critical comments against Islam, and that's why this is a case about free speech, says Nunberg the day.