Conor Howard: East Lothian man facing extradition to the Middle East has been bailed

The 27-year-old was detained in Qatar last year on his way back to the UK from Australia.
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A tourist who was arrested in Greece has been bailed - but still faces extradition to the Middle East where he could face drug charges over a £10 cannabis grinder.

Conor Howard, 27, was detained in Qatar last October on his way back to the UK from Australia when he was found with the grinder - which he bought for a pal as a laugh.

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Conor Howard, the 27-year-old project manager from Tranent.Conor Howard, the 27-year-old project manager from Tranent.
Conor Howard, the 27-year-old project manager from Tranent.
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The project manager from Tranent, East Lothian, spent six hours in a cell before returning home, and thought no more of his brush with Middle Eastern authorities.

But Conor was unaware he had been placed on an international most wanted list and was arrested in Corfu, Greece, after arriving to join his parents on holiday earlier this month.

Conor was today granted bail after being locked up in a Corfu jail - but can't return to Scotland and still risks being extradited.

According to his lawyers, Qatar has until November 4 to bring further evidence against Conor.

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Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, who is representing the family said: "While we are pleased that Conor Howard has been granted bail and will be home with his family tomorrow, he should never have been locked up in a Corfu jail in the first place.

"Although Conor has been finally granted bail, Greece has allowed Qatar until November 4 to present further evidence, meaning Conor is not allowed to return to Scotland and still risks being extradited to a desert prison.

"What the Howard family has had to endure is incredibly taxing, both emotionally and financially.

"While they are lucky to have so much support, they will not rest easy until this nightmare is over".

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A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development spokesperson said: “We continue to support Mr Howard and his family following his arrest in Corfu and are in contact with the Greek authorities.”

A GoFundMe page set up by Conor's friends to pay for legal assistance has raised nearly £13,000.

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