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UK: DEATH ROW PRISONER FREED, BACK IN BRITAIN November 18, 2006
Zainab Osman
(SomaliNet) Mirza Tahir Hussain, the Briton who faced a death sentence in Pakistan for killing a taxi driver, is adjusting to his new life as a free man. Mr. Hussain flew back to Britain late last night to enjoy an emotional reunion with his family.
The 36-year-old was released from jail after spending 18 years on death row when his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
Speaking this morning at Heathrow Airport after being freed from a jail in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, he said he was now a very different man from the 18-year-old who was convicted of murdering a taxi driver in 1989.
He has always maintained the killing was in self-defense.
Appearing humbled by his ordeal, Mr. Hussain said he was looking forward to a good night's sleep and spending some time in the garden with his family.
He also thanked those who had helped win his release, including President Musharraf, the Prince of Wales, Tony Blair and the Muslim Council of Britain.
During a visit to Pakistan, Prince Charles is said to have appealed to Musharraf to commute the death sentence.