THE Malvern group of Amnesty International has been sent New Year greetings by its adopted prisoner of conscience, Mohamed Habib Hemissi of Tunisia.

Jim Beard, for the group, said Mr Hemissi was formerly a respected headteacher who was imprisoned by the government after his sister married a member of the opposition. He had since been released, thanks to Amnesty, but still has to endure official harassment.

Mr Beard said: "He wishes everyone a joyful Christmas and a prosperous 2002. Although he has now found employment in a bakery, he is still suffering from undercover police attention."