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Corfu: Scot arrested after being caught with £10 cannabis grinder in Qatar last year faces another three weeks in Greek jail Gordon Tait The Scottish Sun Thursday 03 Sep 2020 Conor Howard, 27, who was nabbed after being put on Interpol’s most wanted list, appeared in front of Greek judges yesterday to fight an extradition request. They ordered he be detained for another hearing on the Qatari warrant, which could see him banged up in a tough middle east jail for a year. Radha Stirling, boss of pressure group Detained in Dubai, who is helping Conor fight the case, said: “He tried to get bail but it was denied for 20 days as part of their standard process. “During this time, they have to request Qatar provide their justification for the extradition.” Group in court over 'attacking cops, missiles & fire at Glasgow sectarian riot' We told yesterday how Conor, from Tranent, East Lothian, was left stunned when he was arrested as he flew into the Greek holiday isle on Saturday to visit his parents Robert and Adele Young. Immigration cops huckled him on an international arrest warrant issued after he was caught with the drug machine when he flew through the strict Middle Eastern state last year on is way home from Australia. Conor was questioned by Qatari police for six hours but after confiscating the machine, he was freed and allowed to fly home and assumed the matter was closed. But unknown to him, a court hearing took place in January where he was charged, in his absence, with possession of hemp oil and given a year behind bars. Conor was stunned when arrested entering the Greek holiday isle Interpol then put him on their ‘red list’ of wanted fugitives. Radha said Robert, 55 and Adele, 53, - who have both visited their son in prison - were shattered by the Greek Council of Judges ruling. And depending on the legal process, Conor could face over a year of wrangling if Qatar play hardball with the warrant. She said: “It’s very tough on his parents. They are very sad and shocked. “They had their hopes up and did everything they could to get him out, at least on bail. Conor was arrested at Corfu airport “They know nothing about Interpol - that’s for terrorists and violent criminals. Conor is neither of those categories.” On Wednesday dad Robert said: “The stress and worry is horrendous.” Radha said the whole case is a mix up. She said: “It’s a petty misunderstanding. He was arrested for having the grinder only. There was never any allegation he had any drugs, like hemp oil, on him. Conor is facing a year in a tough Qatari jail after he bought the trinket on a trip to Australia “But it’s been lost in translation that because he had a grinder, he also had drugs.” She said they hope Conor will be bailed at the next hearing, but he still faces a long fight if the Qataris produce evidence. She said: “If Qatar don’t do this, the Greeks will throw it out. “However, if they do, it’ll go to another hearing within four months to decide whether it goes to a full extradition trial. “But there is no dual criminality. What he’s been convicted of in Qatar isn’t a crime in Greece. We still have to argue that point and that could take anything from one month if we’re lucky to 12 months.” She added: “It’s a traumatising time for Conor. It’s haunting. “We are trying to get diplomatic pressure on this because the Qataris had him and told him he could leave.” Conor’s local MP Kenny Macaskill is also fighting for his freedom. The former SNP Justice Secretary said: “It’s a disgraceful abuse of process by the Qataris. “It’s harsh and oppressive and he should be at least at liberty while the Qataris withdraw the warrant. “I have contacted Foreign and Commonwealth ministers seeking the UK pressurise the Qataris to do so.” A Foreign Office spokesman said: “Our staff are in contact with a British man and his family after his arrest in Corfu, and are in touch with the Greek authorities.” https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/6003566/scot-arrested-cannabis-grinder-greek-jail/
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