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Petition setup and Supported by Councillor Joe Anderson
New Hope for Michael from Bulgaria
THE case against Michael could be reopened in Bulgaria,
Michael's lawyers are preparing a dossier of new evidence, which the Bulgarian government has not ruled out investigating.
The news comes after Bulgaria’s president Georgi Parvanov told British MEP Arlene McCarthy in a meeting yesterday that he would not pardon Michael,
But today, Mrs McCarthy said the president also told her that the case can be reopened in Bulgaria if they are presented with “sufficient new evidence”.
The dossier will include signed statements confirming Michael did not attack barman Martin Georgiev, the results of a lie-detector test which Michael passed, and the testimony of two men present when Mr Georgiev was attacked. Also included are details of an eye-witness from Liverpool, who is willing to fly to Bulgaria and testify that Michael is not guilty.
Mrs McCarthy said: “I was given full assurance by the president’s legal advisers on the procedure for reopening the case, which I will discuss with Michael’s family and lawyer.
“The legal advisers pointed out that we may prefer the chance to get the case re-opened, because if they had pardoned Michael, he still would have been thought to be guilty.
“Now we have the chance to properly clear his name and we will go about it vigorously. I made it very clear to President Parvanov that this case is not going to go away.” Mrs McCarthy also asked the Bulgarian president why DNA and forensic evidence was not used by the prosecution against Michael, and why Bulgarian police allowed another Liverpool man accused of attacking Mr Georgiev to return home.
Labour leader Joe Anderson, said the outcome of the meeting was as they expected. He said: “The president confirmed what we always knew, which was that the judicial result as it is in Bulgaria will stand for the time being.
“However, we do have hope, in that he reiterated the fact that a mechanism does exist for Michael to be pardoned under British law, and he agreed to look at our evidence.”
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Joy as Michael passes lie detector test with flying colours
The test was carried out at Garth Prison in Preston, where Michael is being held. Organised by his lawyers and backed by Liverpool’s Labour group leader, Cllr Joe Anderson, it is a further attempt to clear his name. Michael Shields snr said: “Michael has wanted to take this test from day one. I’m made up he passed with flying colours".
Home Office officials gave permission for the test at the request of Shields' lawyers. The tests were carried out by British Polygraphers’ Association examiner Don Cargill, who carries out tests for Channel Five's Trisha Goddard show. Michael's heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and breathing were monitored as he was questioned and different readings taken based on his responses.
He was asked key questions relating to the attack on Bulgarian waiter Martin Georgiev, which led to Shields’ jailing in the Black Sea resort of Varna. The attack happened following Liverpool’s Champions League win in Istanbul. Although the result would not be admissible in court in a retrial, campaigners believe it strengthens Michael's claims.
Liverpool Riverside Labour MP Louise Ellman – who last month called for a judicial investigation into the case – said: “It adds weight to the argument that Michael’s conviction is unsafe.”
Cllr Anderson said he would use the results to try to secure Michael's release. He said: “This is a significant day for Michael and his family. In the professional opinion of the polygrapher who carried out the test, Michael never carried out any attack.
“That’s good enough for me and I hope it’s good enough for the Government to pardon and release him right away. I'm confident this young man is innocent and shouldn’t be in jail and I’ve said that for two and a half years.”
The results will form part of a dossier that he, Ms Ellman and the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, plan to present to foreign secretary David Miliband and justice secretary Jack Straw this month.
During the two-hour test Mr Cargill asked Michael three major questions:
Q. WERE you the person who hit Martin Georgiev on the head with a brick outside the Big Ben restaurant on May 30 2005?
A. No. Verdict: He was telling the truth.
Q. WERE you involved in any way in the assault on Mr Georgiev before he was hit on the head with a brick?
A. No. Verdict: He was telling the truth.
Q. WERE you at the scene of the assault on Mr Georgiev outside the Big Ben restaurant?
A. No. Verdict: He was telling the truth.
Mr Cargill, also MD of the largest privately owned Polygraph company in the UK, Nadac, added: “Michael came across as a nice young man. Remarkably he was not angry or bitter despite the situation he has found himself in.
“I hope the results of the test are a boost for his parents and the people fighting to free him.”
Michael’s father, Michael Shields snr, said: “Michael has wanted to take this test from day one. I’m made up he passed with flying colours.”
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AGAIN. We thank you for everything.
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The Michael Shields Campaign.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
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Bring Him Home fund
The "Bring Him Home Fund" has been setup by the Family and Friends of Michael with Lloyds TSB to help pay the fine he received for the crime he did NOT commit. All money raised will help pay for the fight to BRING HIM HOME. If you wish to help you can Donate to the fund at any Lloyds TSB branch using the following details:
Bring Him Home Account No: 02499003 + Sort Code: 30-95-11
A Message from The Shields Family
"On behalf of Michael, we his family would like to thank everyone from near and far who have shown both a fantastic level of support and an unwavering belief in our son's innocence. We would like to ask you to take a few moments to do whatever you can to help us in our quest for justice. Whether this be writing a letter to the Prime Minister, or your local MP, by signing the petition or anything else you feel may help. All your efforts are very much appreciated. We'd also like to thank everybody for their extraordinary generosity in donating money to assist with our expenses. We are very touched at the kindness of friends and strangers alike. With your help, we are sure that justice will prevail and that our innocent son will soon be back home where he belongs.
Thank you all and God Bless,"
The Shields Family
If you would like to make a donation to the campaign please click here .
