Acquittal secured by MPR barrister in "honour" kidnap and torture case

We were instructed to represent a Defendant charged with kidnap, indecent assault, blackmail, s18 GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) and false imprisonment in a trial which lasted over 8 weeks. Our client was one of 6 defendants in the trial, all charged with similar offences.

(See our News Archive 31 March 2011 for first reporting of case)

The case involved an “honour” kidnap and torture of a young Bengali male who was held captive for several days in a flat in the Bow area of East London. It is alleged that the victim was repeatedly beaten, set fire to and sexually assaulted during his days of captivity at our client’s flat. A ransom was demanded from the victim’s family to secure a release.

The Metropolitan Police Service’s specialist Kidnap Squad were called in and 40 officers, some armed with machine guns forced entry into our client’s flat using explosives.

The case involved complex legal issues and argument together with forensic evidence.

Our barrister made very forceful half time submissions of no case to answer in relation to the charges and the trial judge agreed with our advocate’s legal arguments and dismissed the following charges against our client: kidnap, blackmail, indecent assault, s18 GBH.

The defendant was represented at his trial by Abdullah Al-Yunusi who is a senior barrister and heads the MPR advocacy team at the Firm. Abdullah is also a member of a leading criminal barristers chambers listed in the Legal 500.