Shahiran Shahrani legal fund

Aim

Please help towards the cost of defending my friend, Shahiran, against charges of sedition in his home country of Brunei.

Shahiran Shahrani and I have been good friends for almost 20 years. We met while he was living and studying in Belfast and have stayed in touch since he returned to his home of Brunei around 10 years ago. I last saw him when we holidayed together in Thailand last year.

On 27th July Shahiran was charged with making inflammatory comments against the Bruneian government after alleged comments on his personal Facebook page. 

http://borneobulletin.com.bn/government-employee-charged-sedition/

On 2nd August the charges were increased through the shariah courts (Brunei has recently begun introducing sharia law into its penal code). Shahiran now faces a sentence of up to 8 years in prison and a fine of $25,000 Bruneian dollars (c. £14,000). 

8 years in prison for posting on Facebook.

The costs of defending Shahiran against these unjust and inhumane charges are already mounting up and are going to be a huge burden on him and his family and I am asking for your help in paying them.

All donations received will go towards Shahiran's legal defence and the payment of any fine imposed upon him if found guilty.

I am aware through Reddit that many people in Brunei wish to donate, you have the option of doing so anonymously. That anonymity will be fully respected.

Shahiran has in no way requested or encouraged me to make this plea on his behalf; nor has he contributed to, or had prior knowledge of, its content. Any opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Thank you.

This project successfully funded on 27th September 2017