Conviction Of Michael Shields
The conviction of Liverpool F.C. supporter Michael Shields resulted from the attempted murder of Bulgarian citizen, Martin Georgiev on 30 May 2005 with a stone in the Black Sea resort of Golden Sands, Bulgaria, following Liverpool F.C.'s 2005 UEFA Champions League win. Shields was arrested and subsequently convicted for the attack. Shields launched two appeals against his conviction amid a high profile campaign, in 2005 and 2006, but they both failed and the original verdict was affirmed. His prison term was reduced from 15 to 10 years after the second appeal – but with an increase in fine. With parole, he would have been due for release in 2010.
On 9 September 2009 Justice Secretary Jack Straw granted Shields a full Royal Pardon, citing evidence that had only recently been brought to his attention. However, Straw refused to announce details about the new evidence. Shields became the first British citizen to be granted such a pardon after being convicted overseas. The Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria has requested the official documents for the Pardon and the evidence, on which it is based, from the British government. Criticism was levelled against Jack Straw from many quarters alleging that the release of Shields was cynical ploy to buy votes in the upcoming General Election in the city of Liverpool.
Read more about Conviction Of Michael Shields: The Incident, Justice Campaign, Appeals, Return To Britain, Police and MoJ Memoranda, Release, Controversy
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