The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred to the Court of Appeal the conviction of Amer Ramzan for conspiracy to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking.
Mr Ramzan was convicted on 26 June 2002 at Leeds Crown Court after an operation by HM Customs & Excise. On 28 June 2002 he was given a 12-year prison sentence.
The prosecution contended that Mr Ramzan was involved in laundering millions of pounds of drug money through his Halifax travel company using the “hawala” banking system. Four other people were convicted and another pleaded guilty to conspiracy offences in the same proceedings.
A Single Judge refused Mr Ramzan leave to appeal in October 2002. Mr Ramzan applied to the Commission on 13 November 2002.
After considering recent developments in the interpretation of the law relating to conspiracies of this nature, the Commission has decided to refer the case.
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.
Mr Ramzan is legally represented by Simon Rose of Morgan Rose Solicitors, 44-45 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1JB tel 020 7242 2520.
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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