In response to the negative ruling by the Lebanese military court on March 20 asserting its jurisdiction over the charges against Dr. Muhamad Mugraby for his testimony in November of 2003 in the European Parliament, Brussels, Mr. Julian Brazier, member of the British House of Commons, issued the following statement:

"Over the past few years, many of us who regard ourselves as friends of Lebanon have been encouraged by Lebanon's progress towards freedom and democracy. This ruling represents a severe setback. If the trial now convicts Muhamad Mugraby, it will be an insult not just to the European Parliament but all parliaments in Europe. Politicians and lawyers alike will be horrified. I do hope that, at this 11th hour, the Lebanese authorities will draw back from this unwise prosecution".