ReprieveA Scottish Sikh detained in India for five years has been told he will go on trial next month.
Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested by police in 2017 after travelling to the Punjab for his wedding.
He was accused of conspiracy to murder and being part of a terrorist gang, but has never stood trial.
Earlier this year, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that his continued imprisonment had no legal basis.
In July, he was formally charged with one of six conspiracy to commit murder charges.
It is thought that Mr Johal’s blogs and campaigning for Sikh human rights brought him to the attention of authorities in India.
His family have said that he was abducted and tortured by police, a claim denied by the Indian Government.
At a court in Delhi on Saturday, Mr Johal entered a not guilty plea to the charges presented.
He was told that his trial is due to start on November 28.
British prime ministers and foreign secretaries have raised his case with the Indian government.
Maya Foa, director at Reprieve, insisted that the UK Government must act quickly.
“Liz Truss failed to call for Jagtar’s release as foreign secretary and she’s failing him as Prime Minister,” said Foa.
“UN legal experts have recognised that his detention is arbitrary and he should immediately be set free.
“The UK Government needs to act fast as these trumped-up charges against Jagtar carry the death penalty.”
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