Vice President returns from Libya with jailed Ghanaian

Accra, April 30, GNA - Vice President John Mahama is expected from Libya tonight after securing the release of one Daniel Baidoo, who was jailed for 25 years in 2001 in that country for circulating Christian tracts in Arabic.

This followed Mr Mahama's three-day visit to Libya after he had presented the clemency for the release of Baidoo to Colonel Muammar Qathafi through Dr Al-Sayeed, a Libyan Envoy who called on him last week at the Castle Osu in Accra.

Mr Mawuko Zormelo, Media Coordinator at the Office of the President, told the Ghana News Agency on telephone on Thursday that the Vice President would arrive at the Kotoka International Airport with Baidoo tonight.

Baidoo was jailed in Libya in 2001, serving his term at Jedidah Maximum Security Prison.

Following discussions with the special envoy, Mr Mahama presented a formal letter appealing for clemency through the Libyan Embassy in Accra to the Libyan Leader, Col. Al-Qathafi.

Baidoo was arrested at Garyan Post Office in Libya when he collected a parcel said to contain Bible documents in Arabic. Baidoo claimed he had ordered them from a Christian organization in the US.

Under Libyan Law, it is an offence to witness or try to convert a Libyan into another religion other than Islam.