Release International

A Christian prisoner is appealing for his jail sentence to be commuted because he is now partially paralysed after being tortured in custody.

Emanuel Masih from Faisalabad was jailed for five years last May for allegedly kidnapping a child. Emanuel's family and lawyer insist that the charges were false and that he was framed by a Muslim policeman whose son had had a fight with Emanuel's son.

Emanuel was arrested on the kidnap charge in 1999, along with his brother-in-law Amin Masih. In custody, they were regularly beaten with iron rods, which left Emanuel's arms and legs paralysed. They were eventually released on bail – but it took nine years for the courts to reach a verdict.

Emanuel's health has deteriorated so much that in late December he was hospitalised for a time. It is said he has only survived in jail because Amin feeds and washes him.

Lawyers for Release partner CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement) filed a petition for Emanuel's release to Pakistan's Home Secretary who declared him 'incapacitated'. Under Pakistan law, incapacitated prisoners can be released without a court order if proper facilities are not provided for them. The decision to free Emanuel now rests with the prison governor.

(Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for the immediate release of Emanuel and Amin Masih.

Pray for justice for these Christian men, whose lives appear to have been destroyed over a petty squabble.

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