Thread: Straw refuses Ronnie Biggs parole

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Originally Posted by crazy dog

Of course we have to remember that this is the same jack Straw, who when general Pinochet was arrested in the UK for crimes against humanity arranged for him to be released and let go. Seems a bit odd that a mass murderer and torturer was let off the hook, .

Thats not as I understand it. Medical evaluation determined that Pinochet, who had suffered brain damage was unfit to stand trial.

So a 'medical condition' allowed Straw to let Pinochet go but in the case of Biggs, an infinately less serious criminal, his medical condition does not count. Straw is meant to be the justice minister aint he? As a young socialist Straw spent 4 years in Chile so you might have thought he would have had a bit more sympathy for Pinochet's victims.

Originally Posted by crazy dog

So a 'medical condition' allowed Straw to let Pinochet go but in the case of Biggs, an infinately less serious criminal, his medical condition does not count. Straw is meant to be the justice minister aint he? As a young socialist Straw spent 4 years in Chile so you might have thought he would have had a bit more sympathy for Pinochet's victims.

At the risk of being pedantic, I do believe there is a difference in that Biggs has been convicted, while Pinochet was to stand trial?

Even a greater mis carriage of justice then to arrest a known murderer on an international arrest warrant, then let him go due to 'brain damage'. Not well enough to stand trial is the oldest trick in the book, pity the innocent victims screaming in Pinochet's jail cells could get out using the same excuse, most of them never stood trial either of course.

Originally Posted by crazy dog

Even a greater mis carriage of justice then to arrest a known murderer ....

Suspected, surely? After all, is that not what trials are about?

I doubt if many of you will believe this but I'm going to post it anyway.

A friend of mine committed a serious crime when he was 82 years old.
He had something worrying him and he felt that he had nothing to lose as he would be dead soon anyway.
He would have got anyway with it except that his wheelchair got stuck and he had to leave it at the scene of the crime.
Biggs may be old but he is not incapable of further crime.

Personally I would have accepted the parole board's recommendation and think that Straw is wrong.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Originally Posted by crazy dog

Even a greater mis carriage of justice then to arrest a known murderer ....

Suspected, surely? After all, is that not what trials are about?

Suspect? you should be asking that of the thousands of families in Chile missing loved ones due to that butcher. He did help us out in the Falklands though, and I have wondered if that is why we let the old tyrant off.

He done the crime, then legged it for many years. Now do your time. No sympathy from me- even though I paid a few quid to have a beer with him in Rio once. I thought he was a bit if a twat actually.

Anyhow, he returned to the UK voluntarily for the medical care- he knew what he was getting into. No point whinging about it, he hasn't served his sentence yet.