Anand Jon's family appeals to Obama to ensure "justice"

New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) Alleging that Anand Jon was a
victim of "conspiracy", "racism" and "prosecution misconduct",
the family of the Indian-American fashion designer convicted
of sexually assaulting budding models Monday appealed to US
President Barack Obama to ensure "justice" for him.

"President Obama should look into the issue. Being a
person of colour, he knows about racial prejudice. If he does
not, I will launch a fast-unto-death demanding justice... We
want the Indian government to intervene as well," Jon's sister
Sanjana told reporters here.

The family is in India to drum up support for the 'Free
Anand Jon' campaign before a crucial April 1 hearing at a Los
Angeles court on defence arguments that he deserves a re-trial
on the grounds of "prosecutorial and juror misconduct."

Friends and well-wishers of Jon will stage a march before
the US embassy here on Wednesday in support of the demands.

The 34-year-old designer who dressed celebrities like
Janet Jackson and Paris Hilton, was convicted by a Los Angeles
Superior Court jury in November of 16 criminal counts,
including sexually assaulting would-be models.

The family presented a "witness", a US-based model named
Lauren Boyette, who claimed that Jon was the victim of a
"conspiracy" by one of the alleged victims.

Jon's mother Shashi Abraham said American media should
"write the truth". "He has even been denied bail and is in
solitary confinement for the last two years. Indian government
should not sit and watch, America should stand for justice."

The family has also got support from the students union
of Delhi University law faculty, several members of which were
present in the press meet. PTI SDG
DEP
NNNN