Police freed Gerry Adams without charge but sent his case to prosecutors

Police in Northern Ireland on Sunday released without charge the leader of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, but sent his case to prosecutors to decide whether or not finally prosecute in the 1972 kidnapping and murder of a woman, Jean McConville, at the hands of the IRA. Prosecutors decide prosecution or closure of the case against him based on the evidence police has against Republican leader, the chances of such evidence is sufficient to convict but also critical question, then assess whether or processing is not in the public interest.

Adams, whose arrest has sparked several days of high political tension in Northern Ireland, Antrim left the police station, about 30 miles northwest of Belfast, late in the afternoon by the back door while several police vans and numerous agents riot did see that they were going to get through the front door, where a group of loyalist protesters had gathered.

At a later press conference in Belfast, Adams reiterated his innocence and his condemnation of the ” great injustice ” of the kidnapping and murder of Jean McConville, but added that it seems suspicious that the police decided to question him ” now in the midst of the election campaign.” But above all put the emphasis on “no turning back, no chance of going back ” to the conflict in Ulster. “Times have changed. Taking any other signal is to encourage extremists. The IRA is gone, it’s over. “

Adams had appeared voluntarily on Wednesday night in Antrim for questioning over allegations that he ordered the kidnapping and execution of McConville, a widow of 37 years and mother of 10 children to the IRA informant considered the British forces in full riot Ulster.

Sinn Féin immediately denounced the “political ” nature of the fact that the interrogation of Adams happened just three weeks before the European and local elections in May, where the Republicans have candidates in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

After the Police Service of Northern Ireland requested on  Friday afternoon another 48 hours to continue questioning Adams, Sinn Féin ‘s accusations rose markedly in tone. The number two Sinn Féin, Martin McGuinness, who had already spoken of “elements” within the police and ” the dark side ” of the PSNI, even threatened with the withdrawal of support from Republicans to the Northern Ireland police if Adams is finally processed. It is a politically very serious issue that could affect the Ulster peace process and undoubtedly cripple the institutions of self-government.

The case shows the difficulties that Northern Ireland continues to live because of its turbulent past. Gerry Adams represents both the IRA- terrorism organization that has always considered the senior leader, while he has always denied any membership – and the will to bury their weapons and embrace peaceful means. The dilemma is always between pragmatism to forget the past and look to the future or keep looking to the past to bring justice to those who never obtained.

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Posted by Abdul Basit Abbasi on May 6 2014. Filed under Europe, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.