A prisoner of conscience adopted by Amnesty International's Shoreham group has been released after 440 days.

Syed Hussain was placed under house arrest in Pakistan during the 1999 coup and was allowed no letters, phone calls or contact with the outside world.

Initially a journalist praised for his independence, then a politician, his case was assigned to the Shoreham group last September.

The group publicised his case and wrote a barrage of letters to Pakistani officials asking for his release.

The Shoreham Amnesty International group meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Further details from Chris Manley on 01903 233991.