09/10/2007 Legal Affairs and Human Rights
The Vice-Chair of PACE's Legal Affairs Committee Erik Jurgens today called on the French authorities to give Abdelhamid Hakkar, an Algerian who still claims his innocence after 23 years in jail for the murder of a policeman and armed robbery, a firm date when he can apply for parole.
Speaking outside Ensisheim Prison following a visit to Mr Hakkar, Mr Jurgens said there had been "a degree of vindictiveness" in the way he had been treated. "There are other prisoners in the same position who are now free."
"After 23 years in jail, more than 10 of them in solitary confinement, and 45 changes of prison, I think the authorities can now afford to be magnanimous," said Mr Jurgens.
Mr Hakkar was tried a second time after a ruling under the European Convention on Human Rights found his original trial unfair. Following strong pressure from PACE and its rapporteur Mr Jurgens, France introduced a special law to allow re-trials, but the second trial again found Mr Hakkar guilty. He has had extra years added to his sentence following four attempts to escape.
Mr Jurgens has followed the case for nine years, and has twice before visited Mr Hakkar, once in the company of French former Minister Jack Lang.