A ROCESTER man is stranded in an ‘horrific’ Kenyan prison without access to justice and without his passport, after three years of battling with the legal system.
Sixty-year-old Graham Gallier, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, first faced courts in Kenya three years ago over false child maintenance charges brought by a former friend.
He was cleared of all charges but the courts refused to return his passport, and since then he has been stranded in Kenya.
Following the outcome of the court case, Mr Gallier considered setting up a business with another Kenya-based English associate.
While they were having the initial meeting to discuss their idea, immigration officials entered the meeting and arrested Mr Gallier for working without the correct permit – charges which he denies.
Mr Gallier has been held in prison for five days now – a situation which could be prolonged as the Kenyan authorities are repeatedly adjourning his case.
Uttoxeter MP Andrew Griffiths Mr Gallier’s wife Jan are now campaigning for the authorities to release her husband and allow him home to the UK.
Mr Griffiths has been to the Foreign Office and has spoken in Parliament about Mr Gallier.
He said in Parliament: “My constituent Graham Gallier is awaiting trial in Kenya on charges he denies.
“I have deep concerns about the legal process to which Graham Gallier is being subjected.
“His case has been repeatedly adjourned, his passport has been held for more than three years, his health is declining and he is being denied access to justice.”
Jan said: “Graham has been in prison since Friday. The conditions are absolutely terrible – 70 men sleeping head to foot on a floor in a room about 10 feet square.
“He couldn’t eat as he couldn’t face using the toilets.
“He is due to appear in court again and the last case took more than three years, with many unreasonable adjournments.
“We need help to campaign for our Government to get him out of the country. Human rights are not being adhered to in Kenya.
“He is 61, has diabetes and severely ulcerated legs and he is innocent of the charges brought against him – the court case keeps being adjourned.
“We need help and funds to get him home to our hospital.
“We cannot go against the government of Kenya, so I think my only hope is to talk to the president of Kenya but I can’t get to him. I desperately need more signatures to get our Government to listen.”
The couple have made many payments, as requested by Kenyan magistrates, but have been unable to get Mr Gallier’s passport back.
They have now run out of money and are in a desperate situation.
