UK to investigate alleged "outsourcing" of torture of Brit student by Pak agencies
17 Jul 2008, 1540 Hrs

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London, July 17 (ANI): A British MP has lodged a complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which routinely conducts investigations into the affairs of the MI5 and MI6, alleging that a student who was a resident of his constituency was tortured by both British and Pakistani intelligence agencies after the July 2005 suicide bombings in London.

John McDonnell, the MP, complained that the student was picked up by a Pakistani intelligence agency and tortured for two months in a building opposite the British deputy high commission in Karachi, the Dawn quoted a report in The Guardian as saying.

He further alleged that on his release, the student was questioned by British intelligence officers, believed to be from the Security Service MI5. The British officials "outsourced" his mistreatment to the Pakistani agency, and wanted the IPT to examine the matter, the paper quoted him as saying further.

The MP's complaint assumes significance in the wake of recent report that earlier this year, four British nationals alleged that they were mistreated after being detained by Pakistani intelligence agents and that they were questioned by British intelligence officers, between or after torture sessions.

One has since been convicted of terrorism offences after being returned to the UK, a second is awaiting trial, and a third absconded, added the paper.

Three other Britons - including McDonnell's constituent - had also alleged that they were mistreated after being detained in Pakistan, and were eventually released without charge.

MI5 asked the Home Office to issue a statement which said: "The Security and Intelligence Agencies do not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or inhumane or degrading treatment. For reasons both ethical and legal, their policy is not to carry out any action which they know would result in torture or inhumane or degrading treatment." (ANI)