Help Claudia (read her story in the description)

Anyone ever been unfairly accused? Accused of something you haven't done? Treated as guilty before it’s even been proven? How about being charged with threatening the Prime Minister... over a Facebook post! Police involvement, getting suspended from work, finding yourself in court in late January, life put on hold... completely destroyed if found "guilty". And meanwhile Farage's knife comments go unnoticed. Without any further action. How can that be right?

Our friend Claudia Karl is considered too rich for legal aid, so she has to pay the legal expenses herself. Any help and contribution, no matter how small, is welcome and would be greatly appreciated! In the long term, this page aims to help anybody who has been unfairly accused/charged and cannot afford lawyers. Brexit is taking its toll. Soon, there will be more people in a similar position. Let’s help them, not only with moral support! In future, any surplus money collected on this page will be available for such cases. Let’s show our solidarity not only with "likes". Please share this page far and wide on social media, your networks and blogs. Thank you!"

Here is Claudia's statement:
Late in the afternoon of the 4th September, I had just arrived home from work and was sitting down with a cup of coffee, when I saw 4 unmarked cars of different makes speed up my drive.  The two cars belonging to my family were blocked by those cars. Out of the first car got a bald headed man in plain clothing with a brown A4 envelope in his hand. He marched up to my door and knocked so hard that I was surprised that the door was still on its hinges. My dogs went mental, and when I opened the door, the guy stepped straight forward asking me who I was. I answered his question and he shouted at me that I knew they were coming. I replied that I did not know anyone was coming, and I wanted to know who they were. The guy shouted that they were going to arrest me, and that they had a search warrant for my property. I asked why I was being arrested but I was not given an explanation at first. I had to let all 8 people into my house, but I wasn’t shown any search warrant.

One of the Police (as they turned out to be) took a little yellow book out and told me that I was being  arrested under section 127 of the Communications Act. I asked what that was, but was not given clear information. I was told I had to come with them to our local police station for questioning. I agreed to come with them, but asked if I could call my daughter over (she stays on our grounds in a static caravan) to be present whilst they were searching my home. I was allowed to ring her. She works every day from 3.30 am to 12 pm in a hotel and was already in bed. I called her, and asked her in German to come over. I was harshly interrupted by the bald headed police officer demanding I should speak to my daughter in English, so they all know what I am saying. So I repeated everything again in English.

She came over and found this very intimidating, as there were 8 police officers in our home and I had one of them on each side of me. I quickly explained the situation to my daughter and was then taken out of my home by two officers and put in the back of a police car. My daughter insisted on them allowing me to take my medication with me, as it has happened several times in the past, that I have fainted with pain leaving me unconscious for a while. Apart from Fibromyalgia, a heart condition and a constant bleeding stomach ulcer that leads to a chronic anaemia , I also suffer from Cauda equina syndrome, a rare disorder affecting the bundle of nerve roots (cauda equina) at the lower (lumbar) end of the spinal cord. Although I was allowed to take my medication with me, I had to hand it over to one of the officers!

On the way to the police station, I enquired again what I was being arrested for, but was still not given any information. When we arrived  at the police station, I had to wait for a long period of time sitting on one of those benches, and the longer I had to sit, the more painful it was. I asked the officer who stayed with me if I could have one of my tablets, but it was denied. I also needed the toilet, but had to wait for about another hour and was then led to the toilet whilst the police officer waited at the open door. After another wait, I was told that I could call a solicitor if I wanted to. I asked the police whether they would advise me to call a solicitor, and enquired about the allegations. I was told that it was in regards to section 127 of the Communications Act, no further information given.

I signed some papers and was taken to an interview room where I had to sit on another uncomfortable chair, putting me in more pain. I was informed that there was a camera and a microphone, and that I would be questioned . Only now was I told that it was regarding a Facebook post. I answered all the questions honestly and told them that I had put the post up, not to cause any distress or harm, but to vent my feelings about Brexit and everything to do with it.

After the questioning was over, I was taken to a different room to have my fingerprints and DNA  taken. I was told this information was forwarded to the Home Office. After my fingerprints and details were checked against the home office files, I was taken back to the main desk, where I had to wait for another 30-45 minutes on a bench. I then had to sign more papers, and was told that I had to appear in Court on the 25/09/2019 at 10 am.

I was taken home by the police after and I was told several times on the way that I had to be in court on 25/09/2019 at 10 am, because if I failed to appear, I would be arrested again. I decided to get a solicitor involved, as I felt unable to defend myself in Court, especially as English is not my first language. I do not want to be convicted due to any incorrect wording or misunderstandings.

I have been charged under section 127 of the Communications Act, but not convicted. My solicitor, Mr Gregor Kelly, Lefevre Litigations, has advised me to plead not guilty, as in the UK everybody can express their political views under freedom of speech. I have not been convicted, and therefore in Scotland I am innocent until proven guilty. Now it is up to my solicitors to gather information for my defence.

The date for the court hearing has been set for 30/12/2019. My solicitor now has to prepare my defence case and gather information and contact witnesses.