Fundraisers inspired by jail torture

HER only escape from jail was to hide among the corpses of inmates who had died during her brutal, year-long stay.

As the bodies were shipped out for mass burial, Mary lay motionless, praying guards wouldn't spot her.

This was her route out of prison in her native, war-torn central African country, and it brought an end to a life of torture, abuse and horror.

Now living with friends in Edinburgh, Mary is scarred physically and emotionally from the experience.

She is still so terrified of reprisals that she doesn't want her surname or even her home country to be identified.

Mary is one of an estimated 80 torture victims in the Lothians, and the reason for a specific fundraising dinner being staged on October 28 by top city chef Steven Adair, who heads up the Glass House by the Royal Mile.

It is the first time the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture has taken its events outwith London, with proceeds going to a centre in Glasgow where Mary travels for treatment and support once a week.

Without that support - especially after her financial support from the government was withdrawn - and the help of friends in the Capital she would be even more exposed.

Her troubles began after she became politically active and opposed her country's regime.

A spokesman for the charity said: "She is destitute and has the constant threat of being returned to a country where she fears for her life.

"She is completely reliant on the generosity of friends.

"She was arrested, detained and tortured by authorities and only made it to the UK after escaping from prison by hiding among dead bodies being removed from the facility."

She only took the course of action because she could no longer take the daily whippings and beatings she was subjected to, not to mention food and water deprivation.

Once she arrived in the UK she required months of hospital treatment, and was told soon after arriving that her husband had been killed by the same people who subjected her to the hell.

The spokesman added: "She is still suffering the physical and psychological effects of torture from her imprisonment and if she is returned to her home country she will not only have no access to rehabilitative care, but in fact she is terrified she will be killed."

Mr Adair said: "It was only when I got talking to a volunteer that I realised how much of an issue it was, so we decided to do something.

"Being about victims of torture, the symbol of food and sharing things to eat becomes a bit more pertinent."

Tickets for the event, at Hanam's Restaurant, Johnstone Terrace on October 28, can be booked at www.torturecare.org.uk/pomegranate