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Death row Briton freed from jail Death row Briton leaves Pakistan
(about 1 hour later)
A British man who spent 18 years in a Pakistani jail has been freed a day after his death sentence was lifted. A British man who spent 18 years in a Pakistani jail has been freed and has flown out of the country, a day after his death sentence was lifted.
Mirza Tahir Hussain, 36, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, will undergo health checks at the British High Commission in Islamabad before returning to the UK. Mirza Tahir Hussain, 36, of Leeds, West Yorkshire was convicted in 1989 of murdering a taxi driver, but always said the killing was in self-defence.
He was convicted in 1989 of murdering taxi driver Jamshed Khan, but always said the killing was in self-defence. His brother Amjad said: "We are delighted and thrilled."
His brother Amjad said: "We are delighted and thrilled and it's just a joyous occasion for the family." Mr Hussain said his brother had suffered beyond belief and would need help to adjust to life outside prison.
Asked by reporters how his mother had reacted to the news, he said: "She can't wait to hold her son in her arms." Asked by reporters how his mother had reacted to the news of the release, he said: "She can't wait to hold her son in her arms."
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
"He is in the custody of officials who have been tasked with looking after his safety, security and welfare and preparations are being made for his onward journey." Mr Hussain 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".
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".
Mr Hussain said his brother had "suffered beyond belief" and would need help to adjust to life outside prison.
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."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.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 Death sentence
The interior ministry in Pakistan said he had been released into the care of the British High Commission in Islamabad.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.
It is believed he could stay there for up to 48 hours before flying home.
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: "Yesterday was wonderful when his sentence was commuted, but today we have the news everyone was really hoping for."
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.
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.