'Innocent' Nepali released from Pakistani jail after 15 yrs

Kathmandu, Feb 26 (UNI) A Nepali has been released from a Pakistan prison after being imprisoned for 15 years allegedly for no fault of his.

Surya Bahadur Nepali, 35, after spending 15 years in a Pakistan prison, has finally been released, The Kathmandu Post quoted a Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) official in Baglung as saying.

''The Royal Nepalese Embassy in Pakistan confirmed to us by phone that Surya is out of jail,'' the official said.

The NRCS sought his release, and the embassy has prepared the necessary travel documents for his return to Nepal.

Members of Surya's family are all smiles after bearing the pain of all past years, it said.

''News of his homecoming has filled everyone with great ecstasy.

The family had suffered untold hardships to trace his whereabouts.'' Pakistani lawyer Amir Khan had helped with the court case free of charge, it said.

Surya was travelling home from the UAE 16 years ago when the Pakistani authorities nabbed him at the airport and then confined him in prison all these years.

Surya's passport and other documents were stolen at the airport while he was out for lunch. After that he was unjustly arrested.

UNI XC PK RK1528