Mirza Tahir HussainJustice was delayed 18 years, but today it has come:

A British man on Pakistan’s death row for 18 years was freed Friday and flew out of the country following an act of clemency by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf that was hailed by human rights groups.

Mirza Tahir Hussain "is on his way back home," British High Commission spokesman Aidan Liddle told The Associated Press without providing further details.

Hussain has maintained his innocence for killing taxi driver Jamshed Khan in 1988.

On Wednesday, Musharraf ordered Hussain’s death sentence commuted to life behind bars, which under Pakistan’s sentencing rules equates to 14 years, meaning that he has served his time, the president’s office said.

Thanks to everyone who petitioned for his release. There are many others suffering like Tahir Hussain suffered for crimes they did not commit. Our focus should continue to be on the millions around the world who are unjustly denied a chance at life. That is the real freedom agenda - it doesn’t mean bombing people to free them of their bodies. It means freedom from poverty, freedom from desease, freedom from humiliation, freedom from persecution, freedom from fear, freedom to exist.

Today I am happy for Mirza Tahir Hussain and his family. He has 18 years of living to get back. Godspeed.

 [Thanks to Tess for bringing this to my attention.]