PRESS CALLING NOTICE: FAIR TRIALS ABROAD RECEPTION

3.26.52pm GMT Wed 22nd Mar 2006

Venue: European Parliament, Members Salon.

Date: Wednesday 22nd March, 18:30.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, MEP and Patron of Fair Trials Abroad, will host a reception in recognition of

the organisation's achievements in assisting Europeans unfairly imprisoned outside their own country, and to mark the retirement of Stephen Jakobi, the founder of Fair Trials Abroad.

The speakers will be:

-Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman.

-Geoffrey van Orden MBE MEP, Conservative MEP for the East of England and patron of Fair Trials Abroad.

-Katalijne Buitenweg MEP, Green MEP for the Netherlands and patron of Fair Trials Abroad.

-Stephen Jakobi OBE, founder and director of Fair Trials Abroad

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP said:

"Fair Trials Abroad provides a truly invaluable service to those in need of legal assistance in foreign countries. I and other MEPs have worked closely with them to get justice for many EU citizens in trouble abroad, including the planespotters in Greece, Isle of Wight yachtsman John Packwood in Morocco and lorry drivers in France and Spain."

"At tonight's reception we will pay tribute to the excellent work done by Stephen Jakobi and his team in fighting to see that basic legal standards are upheld on behalf of European citizens throughout Europe and the world."

ENDS