A Briton originally from Somalia has instituted a court case against the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police demanding compensation after he was kept in custody for over 11 months for allegedly importing a prohibited drug, before being released.

Aweys Maani Khayre in an application to the Civil Court in its Constitutional capacity, said that on May 11, 2008, he was accused of importing cathinone and cathine. He was remanded in custody and convicted by the Magistrates' Court on April 16, 2009.

During the proceedings before the first court, the accused had started constitutional proceedings, pleading that the plants found in his possession were not prohibited drugs. The court had found that case to be premature.

The Appeals Court in July 2009 acquitted Mr Khayre and he was freed.

Mr Khayre said he had suffered substantial damages through having been needlessly held in detention for 11 months. He had also suffered a violation of his rights as laid down in the Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights.

He therefore called on the court to order the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police to pay damages as established by the court.