ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):
Lawyers representing the so-called Grenada 17, head to London this week, to present their case to the Privy Council to have the remaining prisoners released.
Their petition follows the weekend release of three of the 17, Andy Mitchell, Vincent Joseph and Cosmos Richardson, who spent the last 23 years behind bars for the killing of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and some of his cabinet colleagues in the 1983 coup.
The team of lawyers, led by Edward Fitzgerald Q.C., contends that the men did not get a fair trial following the coup and that the mandatory death sentence imposed at the time was illegal and unconstitutional.
The British Law Lords will hear arguments from December 11 to 13, during which the attorneys will make a case for the release of the remaining 14 men.
Historic moment
On their release, Mitchell, Joseph and Richardson refused to give comments to waiting journalists while some family members and friends greeted them, but their lawyer, Keith Scotland, said it was an historic moment in their lives.
"My clients Messrs. Andy Mitchell, Vincent Joseph and Cosmos Richardson express their relief and happiness on being released from prison.
"They express their thanks to family, friends and other well-wishers in and out of Grenada, who have supported them in many different ways over the years.
Sentences completed
"They desire to put the terrible and traumatic past behind them and to reunite with their families and loved ones, and to rebuild their lives in a peaceful, disciplined and productive manner," Scotland told reporters.
Under the law governing sentencing regulations, inmates' sentences are reduced by one-third if they have been deemed to be industrious and well behaved.
However, the Ministry of National Security said that the release of these men was not based on any court action, but is instead as a direct result of the sentences being completed.
"It is Government's hope that Mr. Joseph, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Richardson will rejoin society as productive members of the community and will live a peaceful life having learned from their experience," the Ministry said in a statement.
