Tam Pax I think you will find that the only reason Mr Branson and Virgin haven't stepped into help is because they have probably been advised not to by there legal department.
You see Virgin is the injured party in all of this and as Michael is an employee there could be a conflict of interest.
In case your thinking "this guy is talking out of his ****" I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I can't say too much on here at the moment because I am taking legal action against a certain government.
I have been in contact with Michaels legal repersentatives in France to see if there is any assistance I can offer them.
Personally speaking and this is based on my own experience I think he needs to go to every newspaper and media outlet he can. I'm not sure a petition is the way forward. Media exposure would bring this whole ridiculous sham out into the open and expose the authorities for the idiots they are!
But thats just my point of view!!!