R Ex P Raissi v Secretary of State for the Home Department, Court of Appeal, (Civil Division) [2008] All ER (D) 215 (Feb)

Abstract

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION?The case of Lotfi Raissi, an Algerian pilot, who was denied compensation under the ex gratia scheme has been reported by many national newspapers. It is likely that we have not heard the last of it, as it is possible for the Secretary of State to appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal to the House of Lords. The case1 concerned a judicial review appeal application by Mr Raissi. On September 21st 2001, he was arrested in his home following a letter dated September 17th 2001, from the United States Embassy in London addressed to the Metropolitan Police asking them for information about him. The FBI believed that Raissi may have been involved in the September 11th 2001 atrocities. There was also a further request, from the United States Embassy to the United Kingdom government on September 27th 2001, to arrest Raissi for extradition purposes. It was alleged that he had given false information to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) when he wanted to renew his licence.