A banner requesting the release of a outstanding activist in the United Arab Emirates was flown over Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium throughout their Premier League match with Liverpool.
The banner – which learn ‘UAE: Free Ahmed Mansoor’ – was organised by human rights group Amnesty International.
Mansoor was jailed for 10 years in 2018 for “defaming” the nation.
City proprietor Sheikh Mansour is the UAE’s vice-president, deputy prime minister and half of the Emirati royal household.
The gentle plane towing the banner circled the bottom for roughly 20 minutes after kick-off on Saturday.
In 2011, Mansoor was one of 5 activists arrested after calling for political or financial reforms. All were later pardoned by authorities.
Four years later, Mansoor acquired the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders for what was cited as his work in elevating considerations about arbitrary detention, torture and degrading therapy in the UAE, in the face of repeated intimidation and harassment.
He was seized by security agents in 2017 and a 12 months later imprisoned for reportedly utilizing social media websites to “publish false info that damages the nation’s fame” and to “unfold hatred and sectarianism”.
Earlier this month, Amnesty wrote to Manchester City Council chief Bev Craig to induce the council to “publicly name” on the UAE authorities to release Mansoor.
Amnesty International UK’s chief govt Sacha Deshmukh stated: “We’re calling on City followers to hitch us in this marketing campaign to free Ahmed.
“Today’s aircraft stunt is a manner of saying: ‘Look up from the pitch and see the larger image – an enormous injustice has occurred, and the homeowners of Manchester City are those who can proper this flawed.'”
BBC Sport has approached Manchester City for remark.
