JOHN Swinney has been praised for making the release of a Scot trapped in an Indian jail “a priority” by the man’s brother.
The First Minister has pledged to continue pressing the UK Government to advocate for the release of Dumbarton man Jatar Singh Johal, also known as Jaggi, who has been locked up on terror charges since 2017.
According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Jagtar has suffered torture at the hands of the Indian authorities and has been framed for attempted murder because of his criticism of Narendra Modi’s hardline Hindu nationalist government.
The Sikh activist’s brother Gurpreet Singh Johal met Swinney on Wednesday and the First Minster has pledged to continue the press for Jagtar’s release.
Speaking after the meeting, Gurpreet said: “I’m very grateful to the First Minister for making Jagtar’s case a priority. He’s only been in office for four months and is obviously incredibly busy. Meeting me so soon shows how urgently he views my brother’s situation and how committed he is to helping to get him home.”
Gurpreet argued his brother faced a legal process which was “endless by design” and called on the UK Government to show “urgency” in freeing Jagtar.
He added: “When a British citizen is imprisoned for no reason overseas, their Government has a responsibility to act. The previous government failed our family; I’m hopeful that this Government will bring my brother back home to Dumbarton where he belongs.”
Speaking after the meeting, the First Minister said: “I am gravely concerned at the continued detention of Jagtar Singh Johal and allegations of his mistreatment and torture in custody. Jagtar should be released immediately in line with the recommendations of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
“Jagtar has now been imprisoned for almost seven years and this remains an extremely difficult and distressing time for his family who have shown extraordinary resilience in the face of this ordeal.
“Although this issue is reserved, I and the Scottish Government will continue lobbying the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and UK Government to use every lever at their disposal to call for Jagtar’s release, and raise the case with Indian authorities on Mr Johal’s behalf.”
The Singh Johal family is being supported in their campaign by the pressure group Reprieve, which campaigns against false imprisonment and other human rights abuses.
Harriet McCulloch, deputy director of the organisation, said: “What Jagtar needs is for the UK Government to put the same effort into seeking his release.
“Jagtar is locked away because he stood up for human rights, subjected to a legal process where prosecutors rely on a torture confession and have presented no credible evidence over hundreds of hearings.
“We hope the Prime Minister will listen to what the First Minister has to say, respond with appropriate urgency, and do whatever it takes to bring Jagtar home to his family.”
The UK Government was approached for comment.
