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91Èȱ¬ investigation gives new hope for release of jailed Liverpool fan
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Justice Secretary Jack Straw today announced that he will explore every avenue into the case of jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields after a 91Èȱ¬ investigation brought to his attention a significant development.
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Shields was jailed for attempted murder in Bulgaria following the Champions League Final in Istanbul three years ago. He has always maintained his innocence and supporters claim it was an unsafe conviction and are calling for his release.
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Following an investigation into the case, Inside Out (Friday 25 April 2008, 7.30pm, 91Èȱ¬ One North West) received a letter from the Bulgarian authorities stating that Shields' fate effectively lies in the hands of the UK.
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After the 91Èȱ¬ presented him with the letter, which reveals there will be no renewal of proceedings against Shields in Bulgaria and that his release from prison could therefore be "executed" by the UK, Mr Straw today (25 April) said he was going to seek urgent and immediate advice from the Government's top lawyers.
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Mr Straw today told Inside Out North West: "It is a new development in the case, I do not want to raise false hopes for Michael and for the family but I take this letter very seriously and I am seeking urgent advice from senior counsel, QC, about whether or not given what the Bulgarians are now saying there is a power, exceptionally, to effect Michael's release."
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While Mr Straw would not commit to saying that Shields would be released he told Inside Out North West he was dealing with the case personally.
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He added: "I understand the frustration of Michael and the family but I do have to work within the law and that includes both our domestic law and practice and international law and I can't do any other than that but I am going to explore every avenue."
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Following the new development, Shield's barrister Pete Weatherby told the programme: "The only jurisdiction in the UK is a jurisdiction to pardon and that can be exercised where the Secretary of State thinks that the individual is both morally and technically innocent of the crime and therefore the remaining jurisdiction is with Jack Straw."
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Meanwhile the new development has also prompted Michael's family to make a direct appeal to Mr Straw for their son's release.
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Shields father, also called Michael, says: "Me personally as a father, you know, we've been through three years of hell... Michael's still sitting in his prison cell – he's an innocent lad.
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"The Bulgarians have wiped their hands of it now so we just hope that Jack Straw, as a father himself, can get off his backside and get Michael out of jail. It's just an absolute nightmare for us, so we just want to put this to bed now and get him home to his family as soon as possible."
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Next week Liverpool play Chelsea and hope to reach their third Champions League Final in four years. But Shields himself is still living the nightmare that began in Istanbul during the last final.
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In an interview from Garth Prison, Lancashire, where he was transferred after spending over a year in a Bulgarian jail, he still maintains his innocence.
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He told Inside Out North West: "I had nothing to do with what happened that night. I mean, anyone who was there knows what happened. Most of the people who were in that hotel know what happened, so it's not just me saying it. It's a lot of people saying it, you know what I mean?"
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The Inside Out investigation into the case of Michael Shields can be seen on 91Èȱ¬ One tonight in North West England at 7.30pm or digital satellite channel 978. It can also be viewed again online at bbc.co.uk/insideout.
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Inside Out, Friday 25 April 2008, 7.30pm, 91Èȱ¬ One North West
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