UK protests over Nick's Japanese Prison Hell (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

UK protests over Nick's Japanese Prison Hell

THE British government has lodged a protest with Japan over the treatment of accused drug smuggler Nick Baker.

And, according to a leading Japanese newspaper, the case could lead to a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

UK officials say the courts have ignored vital evidence, which could prove the 32-year-old Cotswold father's innocence.

And they have met with members of the Japanese Justice Ministry to call for the case to be reconsidered.

Iris Baker, who lives near Cirencester, is adamant her son, who was caught with £1.5 million worth of drugs at Tokyo airport last April, is innocent and was framed by his travelling companion, who was not detained.

The "friend" was later arrested and held in connection with drug-trafficking charges in Belgium, but the information was never made available during Nick's recent trial.

In the popular Yomiuri newspaper, Nick's lawyer Shunji Miyake is quoted as saying: "Japanese customs officials and investigators missed their chance to solve the case by making a series of mistakes. Not only did they free the suspected smuggler without asking him any questions, they also didn't use information about the man after he was arrested in Belgium."

Following conversations with a Belgian chief inspector, the newspaper says Nick's acquaintance had "repeatedly coerced young people into smuggling goods into Belgium and Spain."

Mrs Baker says the suitcase containing the drugs had a false bottom and that the "friend" engineered it so that Nick would unwittingly carry it through customs.

Her campaign to clear Nick's name has won the support of MEP Baroness Ludford and the international Fair Trials Abroad charity, which helps EU citizens who say they are innocent of crimes of which they are accused.

Mrs Baker said: "We've made enormous strides. I'm so glad someone has got a statement from the Belgian police."

The Foreign Office confirmed it had made representations.

Spokesman Jo Lamb said: "There are still some outstanding issues we will continue to pursue. We are doing all we can to be involved."

Nick's "friend" was recently released on bail after being held in Brussels for nearly a year.

* During his time in Chiba Prison, near Tokyo, Mrs Baker says her son has lost three stones in weight, is dirty and unshaven and has been put on suicide watch.

Concerns have also been raised about the father-of-two's mental state and she is urging Standard readers to write to Nick with letters of encouragement.

Write to: Nicholas Baker, Chiba Detention Centre, 192 Kaizuka-Cho, Wakabu-Ku, Chiba-Shi, Chiba-Ken, 264-0023, Japan.

All correspondents are asked to put their name and address on the back of the envelope.