Palestinian bombers resume UK appeal

The Israeli embassy in London's Kensington was bombed in 1994

Two Palestinians convicted of involvement in the 1994 Israeli embassy bombing have resumed their attempt to have their convictions quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Businessman Jawad Botmeh, 31, and banker's daughter Samar Alami, 33, both British residents, were jailed for 20 years in December 1996 for conspiracy to cause explosions at the London embassy.

On Tuesday they were in court to resume their appeal, which was adjourned a year ago for further inquiries to be made by the defence.

The pair, who both deny any involvement, claim further evidence has come to light since the trial which "casts doubt" on their conviction.

Supporters of Botmeh and Alami staged a peaceful protest outside London's Law Courts declaring their "innocence", before the start of the proceedings before Lord Justice Rose, sitting with Mr Justice Hooper and Mr Justice Goldring.

'Terrorist cell'

The pair, graduates from English universities, were convicted on the basis they were part of a UK-based terrorist cell which, acting alone, planned to sabotage the Middle East peace process.

Two car bombs were set off outside the embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens in west London and the offices of a Jewish charity in north London.

At a previous hearing Mr Michael Mansfield QC, for Botmeh and Alami, accused the Crown Prosecution Service and the Home Office of withholding MI5 information which defence lawyers believed could clear the pair.

Botmeh and Alami, who also deny any links to a terrorist organisation, claim that "suppression of evidence" rendered their trial unfair and their convictions unsafe.

They also say that non-disclosure of relevant information was in breach of Article 6 of the Human Rights Convention.

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday.