THE FREE Ian Stillman campaign has surged passed the 2000 mark - and is still going strong.

The Evening Press urged readers to join us in asking the Indian Government to release the jailed deaf charity worker three weeks ago.

The response has been huge.

Ian, whose parents live in Tadcaster Road, York, was last year sentenced to ten years in an Indian prison after being convicted of cannabis possession, which he has always denied.

His trial was branded a "travesty of justice" by human rights experts after he was denied a sign language translator, effectively excluding him from taking any part.

"The response has been brilliant," said his 77-year-old father Roy. "We could not have hoped for better."

The support needs to continue so that tens of thousands of signatures can be handed into the Indian Government.

It will be combined with an international petition organised by Ian's sister, which already has 10,000 signatures from virtually every country in the world.

Meanwhile, Ian's legal team has been given leave to apply for an appeal at the country's Supreme Court and hopes to receive a date in the next few days.

"It's possible we could hear by May 1, but we are expecting a delay until after the long summer recess in Delhi's courts," said Roy.

The court closes down for two months next month.

"Ian is prepared that it is quite realistic that he won't hear anything until mid-July," said his father.

A date is also being awaited for a bail hearing on health grounds.

Ian, who is profoundly deaf and had a leg amputated after a road accident, is in prison in Simla, in the foothills of the Himalayas.

He had travelled to the region in an effort to extend his charity, the Nambikkai Foundation, which he set up with his Indian wife, Sue, after he moved to the country 27 years ago.

The foundation has taught independence skills to more than 1,000 deaf Indians.

Updated: 14:33 Thursday, April 25, 2002