South Korea: Prisoners of conscience held for over 40 years

AI is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Ahn Hak-sop and Kim Sun-myung, two prisoners held since the Korean War (1950-1953). They are serving life sentences for espionage. According to reports, they were tortured, convicted unfairly and continue to be held solely for their refusal to “convert” to anti-communism. They are two of the longest-serving prisoners of conscience in the world. Lee Chong-whan, a prisoner of conscience arrested in similar circumstances in 1951, was amnestied in March 1993 after 43 years in prison. He has described his experiences to AI.

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