AN award-winning campaigning journalist and broadcaster has called for the release from prison of blogger and former UK diplomat Craig Murray on compassionate grounds.
The move by documentary-maker John Pilger coincides with the tabling of an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the Commons by Alba MPs Neale Hanvey and Kenny MacAskill, calling for the Scottish Government to consider the request from the Craig Murray Justice Group and the international whistle-blowing community for his release.
“Craig Murray is not a criminal,” said Pilger. “He is in prison because a judge uniquely claimed his journalism was in contempt of a criminal case under an arcane provision of Scottish law.
“This was never tested before a jury. Craig is a ‘civil prisoner’ – a gentle, intellectual man who has serious underlying health heart and lung issues.
“There has recently been an outbreak of Covid-19 in the immediate vicinity of Craig’s prison cell.
READ MORE: Call for Craig Murray's release amid fears Covid threatens his life
“Craig Murray should be released immediately on tagged home release, if necessary. Otherwise, his life is at risk.”
The EDM also calls on the Scottish Government to introduce emergency legislation to allow civil prisoners to be treated in the same way as criminal prisoners, which would allow the option of early release on a tagging order to be considered.
In a statement, Hanvey, Alba’s Westminster leader, said: “There has been a double standard applied to Craig Murray which has seen him imprisoned as a blogger while others in the mainstream media have not been sanctioned.
“Not only that he has been treated more harshly as a civil prisoner than if he had been convicted of a criminal offence.
“This inhumane and punitive treatment of Craig Murray must end. That is why along with Kenny MacAskill (above) I have tabled a Commons motion calling on the Scottish Government to heed the request by the Craig Murray Justice Group, the international whistle-blowing community and now the human rights campaigner John Pilger to consider the release of Craig Murray on compassionate grounds as a matter of urgency.”
Hanvey added: “I am delighted that John Pilger has added his considerable stature to this call. His support will be warmly welcomed by Craig, his family, friends and supporters.
“The Scottish Government must also act to address the inequality in Scots Law which sees Craig treated more harshly as a civil prisoner by bringing forward emergency legislation to allow civil prisoners to be treated in the same way as criminal prisoners.”
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