Shasha Khan's letter about Feroz Abassi over-simplifies the case (Croydon Guardian, January 19).

If a terrorist, Abassi should be imprisoned not roaming Croydon streets; if innocent he should be charged, tried and released unconditionally.

Either way the decision should be based on evidence publicly presented in court. Releasing him leaves things in mid-air.

If Mr Khan has evidence of torture in this case he has a duty to the public to put up or shut up; unsubstantiated allegations don't help Mr Abassi whereas reliable details will.

The same applies to Mr Abassi's mental condition. Unless Mr Khan has evidence and qualifications to make clinical mental illness judgements he should keep quiet because the more doubts about Mr Abassi's mental stability the less reliable are his recollections.

One can take heart from Terry Waite, abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Lebanon and for several years incarcerated, tortured and abused in far worse conditions than Guantanamo.

He seems to have suffered no mental difficulty in resuming his career and had the humanity to offer forgiveness to his captors who, unlike Guantanamo, never identified themselves.

Trevor Austin
Green Lane
Purley