Minister to investigate Smethwick terror suspect detention
A Government minister has promised to investigate the detention of a terror suspect from Smethwick who was arrested in Portugal.
Paramjeet Singh Saini remains behind bars following his arrest before Christmas.
The father-of-four is fighting extradition to India where he faces murder and bombing charges.
Authorities there allege he was involved in the killing of prominent Sikh politician Rulda Singh in the Punjab in 2009 and a series of bomb attacks in northwest India in 2010 but his MP John Spellar has raised serious concerns about the charges he faces.
Mr Saini came to the UK from India 13 years ago claiming political asylum and has been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The MP for Warley was angered by his arrest soon after landing in the Algarve on a family holiday.
Last week, Indian authorities were granted an extra 22 days to build their case against Mr Saini.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Mr Spellar called on the Government to intervene after what he called an 'abuse of our immigration system by Indian authorities'.
Addressing security and immigration minister James Brokenshire, Mr Spellar said: "Does the minister agree that if the Indian authorities have a case they should take it up with the UK Government and will the minister put the case to his counterparts in Portugal and the European Commission to secure Paramjeet Singh's early return to his family in Smethwick."
Mr Brokenshire promised to 'look very carefully' into the 'facts and circumstances' of the case.
