Hundreds of football supporters marched to Anfield to raise awareness of jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields.
The protest march coincided with the Reds' league match against Blackburn Rovers, Justice Secretary's Jack Straw's team.
March organiser, Labour councillor Joe Anderson, said it showed how much support there was for Michael Shields.
Merseyside Police said about 150 to 200 Liverpool fans took part in the six-mile route which started from St George's Hall to Anfield.
The Justice Secretary and Blackburn MP, Jack Straw, was urged by the marching campaigners to free Michael Shields.
Leading the march was Michael's parents Michael Shields snr and his wife Maria gathering names for a new petition calling for their son's speedy release.
Window cleaner Michael snr said: “Michael is an innocent lad who was wrongly convicted by a kangaroo court in Bulgaria.
“Jack Straw has been told that he has the power to release Mike so every day he spends behind bars is an insult.
“With this march we want to send a clear message to Jack Straw in the hope he will see to it that Michael is released without further delay.”
Shields and his supporters claim that he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice when he was jailed for attempted murder in Bulgaria in 2005 after Liverpool won the Champions League final in nearby Istanbul, Turkey.
Mr Straw can issue a pardon but has asked Merseyside Police to examine the facts of his conviction in Bulgaria.
Merseyside Police are speaking to UK-based witnesses and studying new evidence which came to light after Shields was jailed.
Barman Martin Georgiev had a rock dropped on his head in the Black Sea resort of Varna in May 2005.
Shields had been watching Liverpool's Champions League final win against AC Milan on television at the resort, along with other supporters.
He was found guilty of attempted murder in a trial in Bulgaria after the incident but has always maintained his innocence.
Without a pardon he will not be freed from jail until May 2010 under his sentencing tariff.
Shields is currently being held at Thorn Cross prison in Cheshire.
Moores brothers return home
(Wed 23/05)
Liverpool to set sail with cruise terminal joy
(Tue 22/05)
Post a comment