IMPRISONMENT OF A PROTESTANT CLERGYMAN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 88, 19 February 1879, Page 2

IMPRISONMENT OF A PROTESTANT CLERGYMAN.

Mr A, J, Arnold .writes from the office of tho Evangelical Alliance, under date Nov. 4, upon the case of Mr G. S. Ben Oliel, the minister of Spanish Protestant Church in Alcoy, recently sentenced tq a term of two months' imprisonment on a charge of " disrespect to the authorities," . arising out of the interference of the parish priest with a dying woman, a member of the Protestant Church. Mr Ben Oliel says that " the cell is infested with bugs, worms, black beetles, ileas and lice, which give me no rest cither night or day. I hnvo passed three nights which will never be forgotten by me. I have begged to be removed to another cell, but to nfj effect. Neither judge, nor mayor,Sor jailor have taken any notice. Besides this, I have to add that they have not allowed me to bring a bedstead, and I am obliged to sleep on a mattira on the ground, and am prohibited the use of a table, chair, knife and fork, Even tho water is supplied me in a dirty and disgusting jug. I eat on the ground and writeon my knees. They give me no light, and my friends are • only allowed to speak to me through aliole at the door." In a second letter, dated November 5, Mr Arnold writes:-"! ' hasten to inform you that we liavo just received a letter from the Rev G. S, Ben Oliel, stating that he was released from his imprisonment on the 30th ult., the King having granted him a pardon. The prompt and energetic action of her Majesty's Government, through our Ambassador in Madrid, has, no doubt, led to this happy result, and thus Mr Ben Oliel has been spared the necessity of completing lu's term of imprisonmorit—two months