Search the Internet          Tips  Links: Terror in America

Indian-origin reporter held in Pakistan is fine

The journalist of Indian origin being held in Pakistan amid claims of spying was on Friday said to be in good spirits despite spending almost two weeks in custody.

Amardeep Bassey, a reporter with The Sunday Mercury newspaper from Birmingham, was detained on May 10 near the border with Afghanistan.

The Trinity Mirror Group, which owns the Mercury, confirmed that its representatives had been granted access to the jailed reporter on Thursday, May 23, in Peshawar.

A Trinity Mirror spokesman said the 29-year-old from Wolverhampton was in fine spirits and had sent a message to his family and his editor. On Wednesday, May 22, Bassey was moved to a holding cell at the "political agents office" in Peshawar.

He told those visiting him, "Tell my family I'm fine and not to worry. I hope this will all be sorted out soon. And tell my boss [Sunday Mercury editor David Brookes] to keep the pressure on. I'm still desperate to get out."

Pakistani authorities have yet to press formal charges against Bassey and it is understood that a report based on his interrogation is being sent to the home ministry in Peshawar.

It is thought that the home secretary of the North-West Frontier Province will read the report and recommend whether the journalist is to be released or charged.

Trinity Mirror has described the spying allegations as ludicrous and MPs, including Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, and the United Kingdom's National Union of Journalists have all demanded Bassey's immediate release.

It is understood that he was arrested on a minor passport irregularity while crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan.

Last week, West Midlands MEP Philip Bradbourn described Bassey's detention as "crazy", adding that he had asked the president of the European parliament, Pat Cox, to demand his release on bail pending a further investigation.

Speaking in Strasbourg, Bradbourn said, "This is a crazy situation, Mr Bassey has no idea why he has been accused of spying. The allegation seems to stem from the fact that he did not have an appropriate visa stamp on his passport.

"Until this situation is sorted out, I am pressing President Cox to push for Mr Bassey's release on bail. I have also been in touch with the British high commission in Islamabad to ensure they are on the case."

Bassey's friend Tariq Khan, who works for the Pakistan Human Rights Commission in Peshawar, said in a statement to the media last week, "Amardeep had come over on a trip with the British Army. He is a friend and I arranged for him to go to Afghanistan with a couple of friends. He has a valid visa for both countries, but the trouble is he did not have an exit stamp on his visa when he left Pakistan.

"I have tried to convince the authorities that he is a journalist and not a spy, but it is a very tricky situation. Amardeep has an Indian background and they are very suspicious and it is a very sensitive time.

"I spoke to him and he was fine, but naturally, a bit depressed. He is being kept in a cell with about 20-30 others.

"Hopefully he will be freed soon. If the British high commission gets actively involved and brings pressure to bear, he could be out in hours. Otherwise, it could be months."

America's War on Terror: The Complete Coverage
The Attack on US Cities: The Complete Coverage

The Terrorism Weblog: Latest Stories from Around the World

External Link:
For further coverage, please visit www.saja.org/roundupsept11.html

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report