A TEESSIDE sister garners public support for her brother’s release from an Afghan jail by launching a support group on the internet.

Maria Blades the sister of ex paratrooper Anthony Malone who has been held prisoner in Pul-i-Charkhi prison in Afghanistan for more than two years has launched a Facebook Group, ‘Release Anthony Malone.’ The group aims to raise public awareness of her brother’s plight. Maria and her Mother Veronica and Father Patrick are also writing to the Prime Minster and Foreign Secretary William Hague for help and would urge everyone who supports their campaign to do the same.

Maria’s brother, Anthony Malone 37, from Billingham, was arrested on fraud charges and, despite serving his sentence, is being refused his freedom by the Afghan authorities until he has paid off alleged debts of $75,000.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said: “He was due to be released in January 2010, however was not. The Afghan authorities have advised us that he will not be released from custody until the debt has been repaid.

The prison that Anthony Malone is being held in is notorious and has been dubbed the equivalent to Alcatraz. It is an overcrowded, rat-infested prison which also houses captured Taliban fighters, jihadists and murderers.

Anthony is being held in a maximum security wing of Pul-i-Charkhi prison. This area is separated from the other blocks by a huge steel and razor-wire fence. Anthony has been threatened and had knives held to his throat.

During an interview with a journalist Anthony said: “This place is awash with smuggled- in weapons. They wanted to kill me because they saw me as a Western infidel.”

Anthony also said he felt abandoned by the British embassy. “For two-and-a-half-years I’ve been sitting here thinking they’d help me. But I know now they aren’t going to do a thing.”

Maria says, “We're worried to death every single day he's in there and are desperate to have him released.”

There are over 1,000 members to date in the ‘Release Anthony Malone’ Facebook group.

Already there have been hundreds of messages of support posted by group members. Here are a few: Paul Vincent Durnion: “Tony has done 2- years in a hell-hole jail in Afghanistan. He is a British subject also an ex para. Let’s get him out. Tell your friends to join the group.”

Steve Garside said: “How can we allow this poxy government to stand back and do nothing for this man. We need to spread the word on this and get the people ready to sign the petition. GOOD LUCK TONY MATE!"

Lisa Miller said: “…Our government is happy to send our troops to fight in Afghanistan to improve the lives of the people there, freeing them of the threat of the Taliban, yet they stand back whilst officials in a country we are meant to be helping, treat our people shabbily! Anthony Malone should never have been jailed and his family should not be forced to suffer like this. This is diabolical and will continue to happen unless we show them it is unacceptable."

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham said: “The family have asked me to investigate and I have been talking with Foreign Office about this particular case and I know they are actively trying to secure his release.”

Maria, Veronica and Patrick would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who is helping and supporting them.

If you would like to join the Facebook support group and sign the online petition please copy and paste the following address into your p.c's browser: http://www.facebook.com/mariablades#!/group.php?gid=132879203409709&ref=mf