Release of Scot detained in India for nine years ‘moment of joy and sorrow’
The brother of a Scot detained in India for nearly nine years without conviction is a “moment of joy and sorrow”.
Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, was arrested by Indian authorities in 2017 over alleged terrorism offences, just weeks after his wedding. On Thursday, human rights organisation Reprieve confirmed the 39-year-old had been released from prison on bail. Delhi high court had previously announced Mr Johal had been granted bail, but he was only able to walk free on Thursday morning. His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, told the Press Association his release was “a moment of joy but also of sorrow” that it has taken nearly nine years “to get to this stage”. He said Jagtar was “relieved” after believing he would not be released until next week. Gurpreet, a solicitor and councillor, described the ordeal as “a long circus” and accused the UK Government of “not doing much”. He said: “The last nine years, public support is what has got us to this stage. It’s not been the support from the UK Government.” He said, “now was the time to bring Jagtar home”. Gurpreet said his family did not believe it was safe to travel India to see Jagtar as he urged the UK Government to take more action. Mr Johal’s supporters say he faces restrictive bail conditions and has had to surrender his passport, while remaining on trial in several cases which could end in capital punishment. Earlier, Gurpreet said: “There have been so many setbacks and disappointments in the last nine years that I didn’t dare to believe it until I saw Jagtar walking out of the prison gates with my own eyes. “The last two weeks have been torture – knowing that Jagtar had been granted bail but the authorities were refusing to let him out. “I’ll sleep well tonight, knowing that he’s not behind bars. Tomorrow morning, the fight continues, because he’s still on trial and facing the death penalty for something he didn’t do, trapped in a sham legal process designed to punish him for standing up for human rights. “We’ll keep on fighting until he’s home with us. Now it’s over to the UK Government to get it done.” A spokesperson for the UK Government said it had “consistently raised concerns about Mr Johal’s prolonged pre-trial detention and the importance of a full investigation into the allegations of torture and mistreatment”. They added: “We are in contact with the family of Jagtar Singh Johal following his release on bail today. “Today’s bail is not the end of the process and we will continue to provide consular support to Mr Johal and his family.” Mr Johal was acquitted last year in a case in which he was accused of financially supporting a terror group but he still faces federal charges in the country related to the same allegations. A group of UN experts said his imprisonment is an example of arbitrary detention, where a person is jailed without a legal basis, and said he has endured “a form of psychological torture”. Indian authorities have previously denied the torture claim and have repeatedly maintained due process is being followed. First Minister John Swinney said Jagtar Singh Johal’s release from prison is a “step forward and a welcomed one”. He said: “I’m very pleased to hear that Jagtar Singh Johal has been released from prison. This has been a long and difficult period for him and for his family, and I am glad to reach the point where the process can take its course without him being imprisoned. “It’s a significant step forward and a welcomed one.” Mr Swinney also said he would like to see Mr Johal return to Scotland. He said: “Obviously, that would be preferable if that was the case. But the Indian judicial system will have to determine its own conditions. But it’s really welcome news that he’s been released from prison after such a long wait.” Reprieve deputy executive director Dan Dolan said: “While tonight is the first night in almost nine years that Jagtar Singh Johal is not caged in a prison cell, he still has the threat of a death sentence hanging over him. “It should also be noted that despite bail being ordered, the prison refused to release Jagtar until his family brought a habeas corpus petition and a judge warned the jail they’d be found in contempt of court. “Jagtar remains on trial in cases that could last for decades and end in capital punishment, centred on a baseless allegation that has been thrown out in court for lack of evidence. “His bail conditions deny him any semblance of a normal life. “The Foreign Secretary should seize the moment and find a way to bring this young British citizen home to his family in Scotland as soon as possible.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub