Our family has always believed from the outset that Colin's original arrest and prolonged detention was motivated by vindictiveness on the part of the PSNI.

 

Today's action by the PSNI in re-arresting Colin, after the High Court had ruled that his continued detention was unlawful shows the complete disregard which the PSNI has for the justice system and for the European Convention of Human Rights.

 

It demonstrates the length that the PSNI are prepared to go in order to conduct this vendetta against Colin.

 

It also demonstrates that the PSNI believe themselves to be above the courts.  It is clear that the PSNI is not accountable to either politicans or to the courts.

 

Colin has previously been the victim of persecution by the state and its forces which included previous periods of imprisonment which were proven to be completely unjustified. It should not be forgotten that this campaign of persecution also involved a murder attempt which resulted in the death of a close family friend, Sam Marshall.  It later emerged in court that one of the vehicles involved in that murder belonged to British military intelligence.

 

We call for his immediate release and are appealing to all those interested in justice to support us in our campaign to return Colin safely home to his wife, children and wider family.