Akmal Shaikh execution prompts calls for inquest

THE brother of the former Kentish Town minicab firm boss executed in China for drug running has said an inquest is the only way to get answers to the “terrible mysteries” surrounding his death.
Father-of-five Akmal Shaikh, 53, who ran Teksi taxi firm in Fortess Road, was given a lethal injection in China on December 29 despite calls from the British government for clemency. Mr Shaikh was thought to have been denied a full mental health assessment despite concerns he suffered from a bipolar disorder.
His brother Akbar Shaikh, who lives in Kentish Town, has written to Foreign Secretary David Miliband urging him to call for an immediate inquest into Mr Shaikh’s death in China in the hope of putting an end to the “grief and torment over the many questions surrounding Akmal’s death”.
He told the New Journal: “The main question we want answered is the exact procedure used by the Chinese authorities. As far as we’re aware the trial was carried out behind closed doors and the worst aspect was that it was conducted without Akmal or his lawyers present.
“That was the last chance to save his life and it was done without him even being present. We don’t know what evidence was put in front of the court as to his mental disorder.”
Other questions so far ignored by the Chinese authorities are why Mr Shaikh was not given a medical assessment, why “compelling” evidence of mental health problems were ignored and why he was not given treatment during the two years he was held.
His family have also demanded answers as to why his lawyer was not permitted to appear on his behalf before the Supreme Court, and why presiding judges, in Akbar Shaikh’s words, “laughed openly at Akmal’s speech, and viewed his behaviour as amusing rather than impaired.”
Mr Shaikh also believes an inquest is the only way his family can find out about Akmal’s mental state at the time of his death and the level of suffering he endured.
He said: “We have been kept in the dark, which is hard for family to bear. I still haven’t told my mother what has happened as I am worried for her health. I’ve already lost a brother and if I do that I’m afraid I’ll lose my mother as well.”
Human rights charity Reprieve believes the British government has the power to order an inquest under the Coroners Act 1988. But a Foreign Office spokesman said an inquest was not automatically carried out when a Briton died overseas, and refused to comment on Mr Shaikh’s case.
Last week, Labour MP Frank Dobson and Conservative election candidate George Lee traded verbal blows over the stance taken by the Chinese government.
Lib Dem election candidate Jo Shaw, a barrister, said: “The execution was a fundamental breach of human rights – it is difficult to think of a person who is more vulnerable, in a foreign country and suffering from mental health problems. I support anything that brings any peace to the family.”
JOSIE HINTON