|
  |
|
 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
'Wrong Bond' may sue FBI
DURBAN, South Africa -- A British grandfather wrongly detained for three weeks after being mistaken for one of America's most-wanted criminals says the FBI owes him "a lot more than a verbal apology." Derek Bond, 72, who spent three weeks in a South African police cell, was finally freed on Wednesday after the FBI admitted it had made a mistake. As he recuperates and prepares to fly home, legal experts says Bond has a potential case for suing the FBI for negligence. Tony Murphy, a leading UK-based human rights lawyer, said it was "important" that he be compensated for his ordeal. He told the Press Association: "If the South African authorities were acting on a request from the FBI, it is unlikely they will be liable in law. "There would certainly be a potential claim in negligence against the FBI, which would involve interesting issues around jurisdiction and immunity. "If Mr Bond had been detained in this country, he would be entitled to compensation under the Miscarriage of Justice Scheme operated by the Home Office. "It is important he is compensated for all he and his family have been through". It is thought that Bond might be able to sue the FBI in the United States, but could launch his action from Britain. Following his release, Bond told a news conference that there was "every possibility" he would make a claim for compensation. "I will need to take advice from my lawyers but there does seem to be a justified claim," he said. Bond's South African lawyer Waldow told the BBC: "It is just unbelievable. The comedy of errors and the strangeness of this whole incident is just unbelievable." Bond told reporters how during his incarceration he had to sleep on a mat on a concrete floor, with no electricity. His release came after the FBI arrested a man thought to be the real suspect, accused of fraud and money laundering, in Las Vegas. U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman John Lewis issued an apology. He said: "The short answer is: It is a case of identity theft. As far back as 1989, the person arrested this evening was using the name, the identity ,of Derek Bond. "We had the wrong man. He deserves an apology and he certainly gets one from me. I do apologise and others, I'm sure, will as well." Identity fraud is a growing international crime and has provided another challenge for the fight against terrorism since September 11. Four innocent men came forward after the New York and Washington suicide attacks to say that their identities had been stolen by the terrorists.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
