Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email No stone left unturned in bid to secure son’s release
By : Diana Yeoh
source
IPOH: A father’s love knows no bounds and in the case of Francis Karupal, he has left no stone unturned in his quest to secure the release of his son from a jail in Kabul, Afghanistan. Sixty-year-old Francis’ life has been a nightmare since his youngest son’s imprisonment at the Afghanistan Central Prison 11/2 years ago. The retired hospital attendant has become a regular face at Wisma Putra as he tries to get the government to help bring his son home. Previous media reports had stated that Raymond Francis, 25, was accused of smuggling drugs and weapons.
Raymond, who was a technician on probation with Keppel FMO Pte Ltd in Singapore, had gone for a holiday to Pakistan on Nov 1, 2006.
It was learnt that Raymond had gone to Kabul after he failed to get a direct flight from Islamabad to Kuala Lumpur. He told his family that he thought he could get a flight to Kabul and then to New Delhi, before boarding a flight to Kuala Lumpur. Raymond’s family became worried after not hearing from him and lodged a police report on Nov 11, 2006.
Two days later, the family received a phone call from an anonymous caller who related Raymond’s plight and said he could be released if the family paid US$14,000 (RM44,000). The family spent two months trying to raise the money and sent Raymond’s eldest brother, Edwin, to Kabul on Jan 12, last year. Edwin spent three months in Kabul trying to secure his brother’s release but ended up being conned of the money by an Afghan, who had promised to help them.
And now, Francis’ only hope lies with Wisma Putra. “I last visited Wisma Putra on Feb 20 to follow up on my son’s situation. Until now, there has been no word from the officer-in-charge.”They are aware of my son’s predicament. I do not know why it takes so long for the authorities to get my son back.”
