KARACHI, Pakistan — Robin Peranditta, 27, one of two survivors of September’s massacre at the Institute of Peace and Justice (IPJ) in Karachi, was finally released from police custody by order of the Sindh High Court Oct. 24.
The same court had ruled two days earlier that Peranditta’s detention was illegal and ordered his immediate release, but a contingent of police abducted him from the stairs of the court building and returned him to custody. Peranditta’s lawyers filed contempt of court charges against the police, securing his freedom.
Peranditta was working in the offices of IPJ when unidentified terrorists attacked the Christian organization and shot to death seven of his co-workers. An eighth is recovering from critical head wounds. Although severely beaten by the attackers, Peranditta was not shot. Suspected of complicity in the murders, the father of four suffered severe physical and mental torture during four weeks of police interrogation. Peranditta has not been reunited with his wife, Elizabeth, who for security reasons is staying in a separate safe house for fear of further violence. Investigators have so far failed to identify the killers.
Share with others: