The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred to the Court of Appeal the linked convictions for drug importation from Pakistan to the UK of two men.
Mr Shaz Nawaz was convicted of heroin importation on 26 September 1994 at Birmingham Crown Court and sentenced to nine years in prison.
He did not appeal but applied to the Commission in October 2002 submitting that his case was linked to a number of other applications made following prosecutions arising from HM Customs and Excise operations.
Mr Niaz Hussain was convicted of importing class A drugs on 2 October 1995 at Birmingham Crown Court and sentenced to nine years in prison.
Leave to appeal was refused by the Single Judge in November 1996 and the Full Court in February 1997. Mr Hussain applied to the Commission in July 1999.
In both cases the prosecution contended that the men were involved in the importation of heroin to the UK.
After considering a range of issues, including the role of informants in the investigation, the Commission has decided to refer both convictions.
The Commission is the independent public body set up by Parliament in 1997 to investigate possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to decide if they should be referred to the appeal courts.
Both men are represented by Mrs Tasneem Osmani, T. Osmani Solicitors 121 Woodlands Avenue, Wanstead, London, E11 3RB, tel 020 8532 2544.
This press release was issued by Boris Worrall, Head of Communication, Criminal Cases Review Commission on 0121 633 1806 or 07947 355231.
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