46. Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make urgent representations to the Turkish Government to release Mr. Simon Albrecht and Mr. Dennis Puisson, who are in custody in Turkey charged with photographing birds in a military zone.
Mr. WhitneyFrom first being notified of the arrest of Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Buisson both the Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate-General in Istanbul have done everything possible to expedite the legal proceedings and in the meantime to ensure the comfort of the two men. However, Her Majesty's Government cannot intervene in the legal proceedings of another sovereign state.
The charges against Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Buisson are, as announced in another place on 13 July, travelling in a military zone and taking photographs and birdwatching in a military zone. There have been three court hearings and a fourth is set for today. Both men are on bail while the case continues.