This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/6157012.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Death row Briton freed from jail Death row Briton freed from jail
(about 1 hour later)
A British man who spent 18 years on death row in Pakistan for a murder which he said was in self-defence has been released, an official has said. A British man who spent 18 years in a Pakistani jail has been freed a day after his death sentence was lifted.
President Pervez Musharraf commuted the death sentence on Mirza Tahir Hussain, 36, of Leeds, West Yorks, on Thursday. Mirza Tahir Hussain, 36, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, will undergo health checks at the British High Commission in Islamabad before returning to the UK.
"He was released this morning," Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said. "I don't know if he has left Pakistan or not." He was convicted in 1989 of murdering taxi driver Jamshed Khan, but always said the killing was in self-defence.
Hussain was convicted in 1989 of murdering taxi driver Jamshed Khan. His brother Amjad said: "We are delighted and thrilled and it's just a joyous occasion for the family."
He always said he killed the driver in self-defence, after being sexually assaulted. He did not know exactly when his brother would be back in the UK, but added: "All I can say at this stage is it will be pretty soon."
Yesterday was wonderful when his sentence was commuted, but today we have the news everyone was really hoping for Greg Mulholland MP Trip sealed man's fateYesterday was wonderful when his sentence was commuted, but today we have the news everyone was really hoping for Greg Mulholland MP Trip sealed man's fate
President Musharraf intervened in the case following a long campaign to prevent Hussain's hanging. He said President Pervez Musharraf, who commuted the death sentence on Thursday to life imprisonment, "had shown himself to be an enlightened man who has rectified this miscarriage of justice".
There were pleas for clemency from the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Tony Blair, European politicians and human rights groups. Mr Hussain said his brother had "suffered beyond belief" and would need help to adjust to life outside prison.
The interior ministry in Pakistan said it expected Hussain would now be released into the care of the British High Commission in Islamabad. News of his release broke on Friday morning when Pakistan's Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao told reporters: "Mirza Tahir Hussain...is a free person now and he can go wherever he wants to go."
Before Hussain was freed, there were pleas for clemency from the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Tony Blair, European politicians and human rights groups.
Health checks
The interior ministry in Pakistan said he had been released into the care of the British High Commission in Islamabad.
They will conduct basic health checks, carry out a de-brief and give him food and clothing.They will conduct basic health checks, carry out a de-brief and give him food and clothing.
It is believed he could stay there for up to 48 hours before returning to the UK on a commercial flight. It is believed he could stay there for up to 48 hours before flying home.
Acquittal overruled Greg Mulholland, the Hussain family's MP in Leeds, said: "Yesterday was wonderful when his sentence was commuted, but today we have the news everyone was really hoping for."
Greg Mulholland, the Hussain family's MP in Leeds, said: "Neither the family nor myself have had official confirmation of his release yet, but it looks like this is the news the family has been waiting for 18 years.
"Yesterday was wonderful when his sentence was commuted, but today we have the news everyone was really hoping for.
"We are waiting to hear details of when he can finally get on that plane and come home into the arms of his family.
"I am looking forward to shaking his hand when he's back in Leeds."
Hussain was originally acquitted of the murder by Pakistan's High Court, but an Islamic court sentenced him to death in 1998.Hussain was originally acquitted of the murder by Pakistan's High Court, but an Islamic court sentenced him to death in 1998.
Settlement refused
The sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2003, and a review petition was rejected a year later.The sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2003, and a review petition was rejected a year later.
Settlement refused
But the government put off his execution several times, most recently until the end of this year.But the government put off his execution several times, most recently until the end of this year.
Authorities had hoped a blood-money settlement, permitted under Islamic law, could be reached with the dead man's family.Authorities had hoped a blood-money settlement, permitted under Islamic law, could be reached with the dead man's family.
But the relatives refused to negotiate, saying to do so would be dishonourable.But the relatives refused to negotiate, saying to do so would be dishonourable.
The family of the victim said on Thursday they were furious the sentence had been commuted and planned to appeal against the decision.The family of the victim said on Thursday they were furious the sentence had been commuted and planned to appeal against the decision.