TODAY we report a heart-rending plea for mercy from a mother who fears her son will languish in a foreign jail until she dies.

Oceana Bleach, 79, has written to Indian president K R Narayanan pleading with him to release her son, the convicted arms dealer Peter Bleach.

Four Russian pilots and a Latvian with whom Bleach was convicted have been freed after pressure from their own Governments.

British authorities are expected to ask for a date to be set for Bleach's appeal, but otherwise have refused to interfere.

In the light of this desperate mother's plea, set Peter Bleach free.