A FIGHT is underway to clear the name of a man locked up in a Swiss jail for a murder he did not commit.

Majid El Hamri flew back to Teesside only this week after being held in prison without trial for 16 months.

Almost as suddenly as he was arrested and extradited from Britain, the father-of-two had the charge of assassination of a Swiss pensioner, dropped at a court appearance in Switzerland last week.

He revealed to The Northern Echo that he is taking authorities in Switzerland to the Court of Human Rights for violating his rights.

The former Eaglescliffe pizza shop manager says he is not interested in monetary compensation but justice for his sake and for seven-year-old sons, twins Anas and Aaron.

"My lawyer said he wants compensation for me, but I told him no money will bring back 16 months of my life.

"Nothing can replace that. My kids are growing up. They lost their first teeth and I was not here," he said at his Hemlington, Middlesbrough, home. "I want my rights to be respected; I want my name cleared. I want them to admit they were wrong."

Mr El Hamri added: "I feel very bitter. There is anger inside me, it is like a flame which will never go out. I am not the person I was before this happened."

The man, who has been supported throughout by his wife, Alison, said he did not oppose extradition, thinking he would soon on a return flight to Britain after clearing up a horrible mistake.