Edgar had been on holiday to Istanbul at Easter 1998 when, almost on arrival, he was murdered for his passport. There is a very lucrative trade in passports formerly belonging to Britons of Asian origin. The murderer, an Egyptian, was finally tracked to Malta but so far pleas for his extradition have been turned down by the Maltese Government.

We were about 40 in all-- Edgar's relatives, friends and ex-colleagues from Hackney libraries. He was obviously a much-loved young man. We chanted slogans intermittently as well as held up banners and handed out leaflets to interested passers-by. The embassy entrance was manned by a couple of cops. As Goanetter Aires Rodrigues cannily remarked, usually there's a posse of the boys in blue at demos but obviously the Goan ‘susegad’ reputation had preceded us and it was deemed necessary to have only two amiable ones! Amongst the passers-by I spotted Alexander Walker, film critic of London's Evening Standard newspaper, who was very interested and sympathetic.

We continued in our very dignified chanting until six o'clock when the media zoomed in. There was a small team from television's "London Tonight" programme who filmed our protest live for the six o'clock news. Meanwhile, Genny, Edgar's sister filled us in on what she had been trying to achieve inside the embassy.

We could not all go in so Genny tackled the High Commissioner. They were all clearly discomfited and even quite angry at our demonstration outside their premises as we were giving them a bad name. Genny got no satisfactory answers from them; they claimed that they encountered difficulties in proceeding with the case and could do nothing to help or expedite matters. At one stage, the High Commissioner was even shouting at Genny but she threatened to walk out if he did not calm down.

Interestingly, they conceded that had the victim’s been Tony Blair's son, the British government would undoubtedly have got things moving long ago and brought pressure to bear on the Maltese government. Edgar's life is no less precious!

One bit of good news that Genny imparted was that Edgar's case is going to be taken up by no less a person than Imran Khan--not the cricketer but the lawyer with dogged determination in the now famous Stephen Lawrence case. ( see: http://www.blink.org.uk/campaign/stevelaw/ slmain.htm) This has apparently created waves. Previously when Genny tried to get some response or communication from the Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Paul Condon or Foreign Secretary Robin Cook were evasive but now that Imran Khan is on the case Sir Paul Condon and Robin Cook have already asked to meet the family.

After the television crew had finished, we had a little confab and decided that we would try and embarrass the Maltese Government with the same performance on the first Wednesday of each month--same time, same place--until we had satisfactory results. So all of you, who did not make it today and can support us in future, make a note in your diaries please.

The family of a Briton murdered while on holiday in Istanbul three years ago believe that a suspect has come one step closer to appearing in court.
Edgar Fernandes, a 37-year-old librarian from Hackney, east London, disappeared while on holiday in Turkey in April 1998.

His alleged killer, Mohammed Abdul Abbas Aly, was arrested in Malta several months later after being found in possession of Mr Fernades' passport and credit card.

Interpol had traced him using credit card records.

Mr Abbas Aly initially confessed to the murder, but later retracted his confession.

Turkish police asked for Mr Abbas Aly, who is Egyptian, to be extradited to Istanbul but the Maltese authorities declined because Turkey still has the death penalty as the ultimate sentence for murder.

Politicians inside Turkey continue to argue over whether to carry out the execution in view of pressure from the European Union, which is opposed to the death sentence.

Meanwhile the traumatic search for Edgar continued. They researched all the hospitals and institutions in Turkey. On 8 May 1998 two members of the family were looking at pictures of dead bodies in the morgue. Depressingly one of the photographs was of Edgar's body.

The family continued with their investigation and located the chief suspect in Malta. In an impressive and unprecedented feat they managed to galvanise the Maltese authorities to arrest the man. He initially confessed to the murder of Edgar Fernandes, though later changed his story. After the family approached the NCRM, the Metropolitan Police began to work more seriously on the case. The trial of the man suspected of killing Edgar began in Turkey in February 2000.

Mr Fernandes, a 27-year-old librarian who grew up in the Spinney Hills area of the city, was robbed and killed in Turkey in 1998. Egyptian national Mohamed Aly Abbas, who has already been convicted of using Mr Fernandes' credit card and passport, is on trial for his murder.

The Fernandes family fear the suspect could walk free under a Turkish amnesty law.

The case had been expected to conclude today, but was adjourned until July 31, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

The family, together with a campaign group - Justice for Britons Murdered Abroad - fear Abbas could be freed on the day he is convicted because of the time he has already spent in custody awaiting trial for murder and part of the three-year sentence imposed for credit card fraud.

Mathias Fernandes, Edgar's 32-year-old brother, said: "If the suspected murderer is convicted and walks free, that would be a nightmare for our family."

Edgar's sister, Genny Fernandes, said: "We've had to put our grief on hold for five years in our pursuit of justice for Edgar - that justice could be denied to us now."

Krishna Maharaj, chairman of Justice for Britons Murdered Abroad, said: "It is outrageous if convicted murderers are released on the same day the verdict is announced.

"What does this say about the justice system in Turkey?''

The Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Our consular officials have regularly been attending court hearings in this case.

"Any sentence that is passed is a matter for the Turkish authorities and we cannot interfere in their judicial system.

"We will be in contact with the family as soon as we know more."

The Foreign Office said its consular staff in Turkey were continuing to monitor the case.

Leicester MP Keith Vaz is going to Turkey next month to try to ensure a family gets justice for the their dead son.

Edgar Fernandes was killed while on holiday in Istanbul, in April 1998.

It took his family, who live in Leicester, several years to trace the man suspected of killing him.

Mohammed Abbas Aly, who is accused of the killing, is to hear the verdict of a Turkish court on October 8.

Edgar's brother, Mathias, 35, who grew up in Leicester and now lives in London, traced Aly to Malta, but had to battle with authorities to get him extradited to Turkey to stand trial.

Leicester East MP Mr Vaz submitted a Parliamentary Early Day Motion earlier this week calling on the Foreign Office to do "everything in its power to urge the Turkish authorities to make sure that a proper verdict is returned" on October 8.

Mr Vaz, who helped the family in their struggle for justice, is now hoping that by going to Istanbul for the hearing, his presence will make sure the Turkish authorities will return the right verdict.

The MP said: "It is essential that, after five years of struggle, the family will see justice in this enormously tragic case.

"It is not usual for MPs to do this, but I am going to Istanbul for myself, as it is the only way to keep an eye on justice.

"Five years ago, it was impossible to predict that there was ever going to be a trial and it would be unfortunate to see this opportunity lost."

According to the post mortem examination, Mr Fernandes had been hit over the head with a policeman's truncheon.

His body was found dumped in the Bosphorus and his credit card and passport had been stolen.

His brother traced the passport to Bulgaria and the card to Malta.

The family continued to supply the card with cash until the suspect, who was using, it could be arrested.

Abbas Aly appeared in court on July 31 this year but, instead of receiving a sentence, he was released on unconditional bail pending the further hearing next month.

Mr Fernandes's family said they were disgusted Abbas Aly had been released and feared he would flee the country rather than turn up for the verdict.

Mathias said it would come as a massive relief if the man he believes killed his brother was finally sent to prison.

Speaking on behalf of the family, who now live in Gwendolen Road, Leicester, he said: "It has been a struggle all the way.

"From getting him extradited to ensuring justice has been one hurdle after another.

"My family feel they will now see justice."

1. UK Parliament: 18 May 1998:
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980518/text/80518w13.htm

2. Hurriyet. 21 May 1998,
http://arsiv.hurriyetim.com.tr/hur/turk/98/05/21/dizi/01diz.htm

3. UK Parliament: 16 Jul. 1998: Adjournment Debate.
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980715/debtext/80715-57.htm#80715-57_head0

4. Malta Independent. 2 Oct. 2002. Justice for Edgar.
http://www.archive.independent.com.mt/2000/1002/n16.htm

5.Prof John Buontempo website (Photograph of the Fernandes family in Malta).
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/1400/fernandes.html