UK arms dealer on hunger strike

Peter Bleach: Jailed for life in January 2000

British arms dealer Peter Bleach has gone on hunger strike as he awaits his release from an Indian prison.

Bleach, who was pardoned by the Indian president on Friday, was expected to be freed on Tuesday.

But his release has been delayed and his lawyer said he had been asked to pay a 5,000 rupee (£60) fine.

The 52-year-old Briton was arrested with five Latvian air crew caught on an illegal arms drop in 1995 and jailed for life in Calcutta.

On Tuesday Bleach's lawyer, Deepak Prolatka, told BBC News Online he had been asked to pay the fine but was waiting for an assurance that payment would not be taken as an admission of guilt and he could appeal after his release.

A nationwide strike in India on Tuesday has caused a further delay.

Jail officials in Calcutta say Bleach had refused food since Monday evening.

"He has decided to go without food until he is released," British diplomat, Paul Walsh, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

But Mr Walsh said he was hopeful of sorting the legal problems which have held up the release.

Legal delay

Public holidays because of a long weekend have meant that a customs violation case is still pending against Bleach, and would have to be dropped before he is freed.

Bleach's release document says all cases against him, and those filed by him against the Indian authorities, must be cleared up before he is allowed to leave the country.

The aircraft used by Bleach and the Latvians was forced to land in Bombay (Mumbai) and a customs case is still outstanding in that area.

Most of the cases in Calcutta have been sorted out, but one filed against him in Bombay still has to be addressed.

Fly back

Mr Prolatka said Bleach was hoping to be freed on Wednesday morning and fly back to England three days later.

The decision to release Bleach was announced last week by Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, during a visit from UK Home Secretary David Blunkett.

The UK Government had requested a pardon for Bleach last year but it was rejected.