International Human Rights Lawyer Marie Therese Nlandu Escapes Firing Squad

LONDON, UK -- International human rights Lawyer, Marie Therese (54) has returned to London after 160 days of torture and abuse in a prison in democratic Republic of Congo. to a most amazing reception at Eurostar Arrivals on Monday night 14 May 07

A very frail, but delighted Marie Therese was met with a red carpet, and a large crowd of over 100 well wishers waving flags, banners, singing, clapping, waving, giving bouquets of flowers and showering her with kisses.

One former Colonel and his wife had come because for 15 months he'd been languishing 'forgotten' in a military prison, and when Marie Therese had heard of his plight she'd got on a plane to Congo to get him out; 'We want to kneel at her feet', they said. Just one of the 400 cases this remarkable woman has represented

While beginning to present a case in the Kinshasa Supreme Court last November concerning election irregularities, she herself was abducted and charged with insurrection and faced death by firing squad. Through intense lobbying and prayers the charges against her were dropped one after another - the three main prosecution witnesses admitting being bribed by the President to say she was a terrorist..

That she survived 160 days of hell, being abused, tortured and deprived of sleep is a miracle. She lost 4 stones in weight, suffered a heart attack, caught a chest infection, and was ravaged by malaria, and was denied medical attention because they had heard her singing and leading the other women in songs, and said 'If you are well enough to sing, you don't need a Doctor'

On Sunday morning at All Nations Church in Poynders Road, Clapham Park, London she wants to sing that song again as her thank you to God for spareing her life and returning her to her family


Leslie Ball
All Nations Baptist Church
12 Poynders Road,
CLAPHAM PARK
London SW4 8NY
tel 020 8673 0639 / 5024

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