:dateline:In a press statement shared with Sikh24, Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) welcomed the release of Bhai Paramjeet Singh Pamma. �The Sikh Federation (UK), along with the Sikhs for Justice had played a key role in seeking Bhai Pamma’s return to the UK.
Bhai Amrik Singh stated –
“The Sikh Federation (UK)�is delighted to announce that Paramjeet Singh Pamma has been released today by the authorities in�Portugal and will very soon be back in the UK with his family.
On behalf of Paramjeet SIngh and his family we would like to thanks all those who participated and supported in the political and legal campaign to secure Paramjeet Singh’s release and stop the illegal extradition to India. We are grateful that the Minister of Justice in Portugal has rejected the false case by the India Government and their�efforts to defame the Sikh community and Paramjeet Singh”.
According to Justice Minister Frances Van Dunem:
“This decision is based on the fact that the Indian national qualification for refugee status given by the British authorities in September 2000, when he was granted asylum in that country and issued a valid travel document until April 24, 2023, which enables the move by several EU countries, including Portugal.�
It has been reported the British authorities, challenged the Portuguese authorities as part of the extradition process, as they confirmed refugee status and asylum had been granted in the UK.� “Most of the acts for which extradition is requested occurred in India, at a time when refugee status had been granted by the United Kingdom”.
The Ministry of Justice held that “the inadmissibility of the request for extradition shall stop the procedure, allowing the return of citizens to the UK.”
