The trial against Shajul Islam, an NHS doctor accused of kidnapping a British photographer in Syria, has been dropped. He was represented by Henry Blaxland QC and Hossein Zahir.
A not guilty verdict was announced after the prosecution stated that it was unable to call on either of the victims' evidence, upon which the case rested. Charges against two other men were also dropped. Islam, who denied all charges against him, had been arrested at Heathrow airport on 9 October 2012 and charged under common law and the 2000 Terrorism Act.
Henry told the court that his client had travelled to Syria to help with humanitarian efforts in the war-torn country and, as reported in the Guardian, stated that Islam had "played no part in any kidnapping and he's relieved that this case has come to an end."
This case has been reported widely in the press, including in the Guardian, in The Telegraph and by the BBC.
Henry Blaxland QC and Hossein Zahir are both members of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team.
