Briton spared Pakistan death sentence

Thursday, 16 November 2006 12:00 AM

Foreign secretary Margaret Beckett has said she is "genuinely relieved and grateful" that a Briton who has been on Pakistan's death row for 18 years is to be spared.

Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf has ruled that Mirza Tahir Hussain, 36, from Leeds, should instead be given a life sentence for murdering a taxi driver in 1988.

Today's announcement has raised hope that Mr Hussain may be released soon, as he has already served 18 years in jail for the shooting, which he claims was an accident.

Mr Hussain's death sentence was revoked by the high court in November 1992, but an Islamic court later reinstated it on a split verdict.

Speaking to reporters this morning, Ms Beckett refused to speculate on when the prisoner may be sent home but said: "We very much appreciate the step the Pakistani government has taken and I'm sure his family in particular will be grateful and pleased."

Prince Charles had raised Mr Hussain's case with President Musharraf on a recent trip to Pakistan, and was said to be "very pleased" on hearing today's verdict.

Mr Hussain's local MP, Greg Mulholland, has also been campaigning for his death sentence to be revoked. He said today's news was "fantastic" and a "real reward for the amazing campaign led by his family".

"However, we are still awaiting confirmation that he will be released straight away. Having spent 18 years in jail, this man must not serve any longer for a crime he did not commit," he said.

"We are now waiting to hear that he is on the plane back to his family in Leeds, where he belongs."

At a press conference this morning, the jailed man's brother, Amjad Hussain, said his family had endured an "emotional rollercoaster" since the original death sentence was passed in 1988.

"At last these 18 years of nightmare appears to have come to an end. We now await the news that Tahir will be able to come back to us," he said, adding that his brother had been visited by members of the family today.

He said he had no way of knowing when he might come home, but said: "We are hoping that is soon." Today was a "day of thanksgiving for all the family", he added.

Tags:
• asia
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• capital punishment
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• crime
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• domestic policy
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• foreign policy