Ian Stillman may be granted clemency!

[jjimm]

Excellent news if it happens. For more information on this appalling miscarriage of justice, please see http://www.ianstillman.fsnet.co.uk/

This update is based on a letter from Elspeth Dugdale (Ian’s sister)

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Dear all,

A report this morning on the BBC said: “Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani has told the BBC that the Indian President might grant [Ian] clemency and that it could happen very soon.” Apparently Mr Advani said this yesterday after a wide-ranging meeting with UK Foreign Minister Jack Straw. This is encouraging but we have no further details and are taking nothing for granted.

Meanwhile back in India, after last minute additions and panic photocopying, the Presidential Pardon Petition was handed in by Lennie (Ian’s son) in Delhi. Lennie will stay in Delhi this week for some warmth and a well earned break from Shimla. Lennie’s cousin, Bethan, plans to fly to India at the end of next week to visit Lennie, Anita, Sue and the Nambikkai project.

We had a very positive email from Arun Rao, a leader of the deaf in India, who visited Ian in Shimla and spent most of one day with him (yet another dental visit) planning the way ahead for organisations of the deaf in India. Arun found Ian to be in good spirits, but we continue to be very concerned about his health particularly as he is still not receiving the medical treatment he needs. This is a particular issue because winter is coming and a transfer to the warmer south has been refused.

We were in discussions with both the UK Foreign Office and the Indian High Commission about the official visit to England this week of the influential Indian Deputy Prime Minister, Mr LK Advani. As a family we requested a meeting with Mr Advani. Even though this was declined we have been assured that Ian’s case is high on the agenda.

Sue (Ian’s wife) sounded in better spirits this week and she has been getting ready for a visit by Matthew James from Deafax UK, the charity that overseas Deaf Child India. Good news also from the Nambikkai project - at last it is raining hard and the water shortage is easing!

Next week marks two long years since Ian was arrested. We hope that this milestone will bring good news. Please look out for any coverage especially towards the end of the week as we are planning a press conference in London and also to make an initial presentation of the petition of signatures. This has now passed 71,000 signatures and will continue while there is need. Please keep sending in the forms.

Thank you indeed for your ongoing support, good wishes and prayers.

Brendan Bowles
for (and to) the Friends of Ian Stillman

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Friends of Ian Stillman - friends@ianstillman.fsnet.co.uk