Home at last! Father returns after holiday turns into nightmare two months in Portugese prison

Paramjeet Singh Saini was arrested before Christmas by Interpol while on holiday in the Algarve after Indian authorities accused him of terrorism.

But he won his legal battle on Friday when the Portuguese government threw out the case against him - and is delighted to be back home.

Speaking to the Express & Star from a hotel in Oldbury, Mr Saini said: "I'm very happy - there are no words to describe what it feels like being back in the UK, back in my country.

"When I was detained I was shocked and scared.

"The support from my family, my community, my legal advisors, the UK government and MPs has been amazing.

"I was very positive and started to think it was only a matter of time before I would be released.

"But I didn't know how long it would take - two or three days or two or three months.

"It was a nightmare and at times I was very, very scared. Eight weeks in prison after being on holiday - you don't think that's possible.

"I can't forgive the Indian government."

Support for Mr Saini's case reached fever pitch in the last few weeks and hundreds of people descended on the Portuguese Embassy in London last week.

His children also appeared in an emotional video to plea for their father's safe return.

Indian authorities alleged Mr Saini was involved in the killing of prominent Sikh politician Rulda Singh in the Punjab in 2009 but British terror police had already investigated and found no evidence of his involvement.

His wife Pinky Kaur claimed he became a target for India due to his activism and views of human rights in the country.

Mr Saini, who was granted asylum in the UK in 2000, said: "When they arrested me they presented me as a terrorist or a bomber - things like that - which was very nasty for me.

"But after a few weeks people stopped writing terrorist and started writing activist.

"I believe in justice in the UK and I'm going to carry on what I was doing before, keep working in the community and keep working on the struggle of India for self-determination."

His wife and children are jetting into the UK tomorrow with Mr Saini saying he cannot wait to be reunited with them for good.