Killer vows to clear his name

Campaigners worked to release Satpal Ram from prison

A man released from prison after a campaign for his freedom has vowed to clear his name.

Satpal Ram was jailed for life for the murder of 21-year-old Clarke Pearce at a restaurant in Birmingham in 1986.

Campaigners fighting to free him always maintained his innocence - claiming he acted in self-defence against a racist attack.

However, Mr Pearce's sister has criticised Ram for failing to say sorry for the incident.

At 1900 BST on Tuesday, Ram, 36, walked free from Blantyre House open prison in Goudhurst, Kent, after spending 16 years in jail.

He will not own up to what he did and he knows he committed murder

Jane Smith, victim's sister

Speaking on Wednesday, he told the BBC's Radio 4 programme that he felt "elated" but did not regard his release as a victory.

He said: "My case is still currently still with the Criminal Cases Review Commission who have been investigating for the last five years.

"During that time, they have failed to interview one witness.

"I personally feel that there should be a public inquiry as to why I was unlawfully held in prison since October 2000.

"The courts ruled that the home secretary acted unlawfully and illegally and he should be charged with false imprisonment and face the due process of the law."

Ram said that no amount of compensation could make up for the loss of 16 years of his life.

'Tragic incident'

He said: "I had to endure countless indignities and was put through a process where I was systematically abused.

"I have lost members of my family. I have lost my mother and father and nobody can ever compensate for 16 years behind bars," he said.

Ram always maintained his innocence

"The death of Clark Pearce was a tragic incident.

"To the family of the deceased I would like to say there are two victims here.

"I have always accepted that a man has died as a result of my actions but at the same time I feel that had the courts based their decision on an interpretation of the facts, I should not be in prison today.

"I have spent the last 16 years in prison and I feel that I have suffered in more ways than one."

'Diabolical cheek'

However Ram's comments have angered Mr Pearce's sister Jane Smith.

She said: "How he can have the cheek to say about the time he spent in prison is diabolical.

"He said he has spent 16 years behind bars, my brother has been dead for 16 years and he is not here to defend himself.

Jane Smith has called for an apology

"Satpal Ram has never even said he was sorry. He will not own up to what he did and he knows he committed murder."

Ram will remain on licence until his conviction is quashed.

His freedom follows a European Court ruling last month which outlawed the home secretary's power to overrule prison sentencing.

He stabbed him following an argument over the playing of Asian music at the Sky Blue restaurant in the Lozells area of Birmingham.

He appealed against his conviction in 1995, but the appeal was rejected.

'Enjoy freedoms'

Last year the home secretary rejected his application for parole, despite a recommendation from the Parole Board that he should go free after having served 11 years.

A decision to have his case turned referred to the Court of Appeal was turned down in September last year.

Over the years, his case became a focal point for campaigners, including celebrities such as singer Apache Indian, who likened him to a political prisoner, and the band Primal Scream.

Assad Rehman, from Amnesty International, said: "Obviously we are overjoyed he is out now and can enjoy the freedoms we take for granted but we also realise this is merely one step in the long battle to clear his name."