Jimmy Mubenga case: Extremely disappointing verdict, says Amnesty

Responding to the news that three employees from security firm G4S have been found not guilty of the manslaughter of Angolan national Jimmy Mubenga on a flight from London Heathrow in 2010, Amnesty International UK's security expert Oliver Sprague said:

“Today’s verdict is extremely disappointing given the multiple failings which led to the death of Jimmy Mubenga. The re-telling of the grim details of how he died leaves many questions unanswered about the conduct of private security guards involved in enforced removals.

“Amnesty and others have documented numerous cases of private security companies’ wholly inappropriate conduct over the last few years, including the use of dangerous restraint techniques. We simply don’t know which of these are still being used today or if the UK government has actually delivered on its promise to introduce new and safer methods and training.

“The tragic lessons of Jimmy Mubenga’s death must not be forgotten. The Home Office must radically overhaul the current system by placing proper controls on private security companies including developing new, safer techniques, and introducing a robust and effective independent monitoring system.”

Jimmy Mubenga had a heart attack and died after being held down during a deportation flight from London Heathrow to Angola on 12 October 2010.