Fight to release Greek-held trucker

Fight to release Greek-held trucker

Wilson was sentenced to 11 years in a Greek jail

The wife of a West Yorkshire lorry driver jailed in Greece has returned home after a trip to Athens campaigning for his release.

David Wilson, 44, from Wyke, near Bradford, was arrested on 18 March in the Greek port of Patros when 19 Iraqi Kurds were found in the back of his truck.

The next day Wilson was sentenced to 11 years in jail for transporting illegal immigrants and fined £47,000.

Now Fair Trials Abroad has taken up the case giving Wilson access to an English-speaking lawyer.

At his trial, the Greek authorities imposed a local lawyer who only spoke Greek and an interpreter, who was the town's jeweller.

Wife Tracy said: "We have instructed a new lawyer, who is waiting for the information from the courts.

Wool consignment

"He will then visit David and we will go from there. We are hoping for an early appeal."

Wilson denied all knowledge of the illegal Kurdish immigrants.

He claims they stowed away on his lorry as he parked up to get something to eat and some sleep.

The wagon, with secured canvas sides, was carrying a consignment of wool.

Authorities in Greece have tightened up on illegal immigration, introducing a fast-track court system to deal with the crime.

Mrs Wilson said: "David's 100% innocent. Every one of the illegal immigrants stated in court that David was not the man that had put them on the wagon.

"It has been a total nightmare. I have only been allowed to see him for an hour and a quarter."