How a four-day equipment recovery mission turned into 100 'nightmare' days locked in a 'hellhole' African jail for two British men
Paul Inch, 50, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, and Richard Perham, 29, of Bristol, had travelled to Guinea earlier this year to recover equipment from a high-altitude research balloon for Aerostar International.
But within days of touching down, the pair were arrested and accused of spying, sedition, breaching national defence, and violating airspace by the authorities – all of which were unfounded.
Mr Inch and Mr Perham were thrown into Conakry Central Prison, a facility operating at 475 per cent of its capacity and notorious for inhumane conditions.
They were confined in a swelteringly hot overcrowded cell, sharing a single toilet with inmates convicted of violent crimes. They were also extorted and threatened with violence and had to pay prisoners and staff to avoid being transferred to a more dangerous section.
The prison was infested with rats, cockroaches and mosquitoes with contaminated water causing Mr Inch and Mr Perham to suffer dehydration, gastrointestinal illness and skin infections.
Serious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and bloody diarrhea circulated in the jail. And with no guards stationed inside the cell blocks, order was maintained by violent prisoner hierarchies.
Speaking after being freed and arriving at Heathrow Airport this evening, Mr Inch said the experience was a 'nightmare' he could have 'never imagined'.
He said: 'In my work I understand the meaning of responsibility.
'I was in Guinea, doing my job, trusting that everything was in order. Yet I was locked away for 100 days in unbearable conditions.'
His detention tore him away from his wife, their five children, and his three brothers who were left to hold their families together throughout the traumatic ordeal.
Mr Perham said tonight: 'We had to literally fear for our lives each day. After we had been there for two months, the UK Ambassador walked us to the prison gate, believing we were finally being released.
'But a phone call to the prosecutor stopped it. We had to turn around and walk straight back in for another month. It was devastating.
'This was meant to be a simple four-day job. Instead, it became 100 days trapped in a nightmare in which I missed the first steps and first words of my baby daughter, moments I can't get back.'
The pair added: 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stood by us.
'We would not be here today without the tireless support of our MPs, Liz Saville Roberts, and Carla Denyer, who stayed closely in touch with our families throughout.
'We're also deeply thankful to the British Embassy – especially Ambassadors Daniel Shepherd and John Marshall, and Deputy Head of Mission Mark Kelly – for their unwavering commitment.'
Both men had entered Guinea under contract to Aerostar International, tasked with conducting a civilian, peaceful, and lawful recovery operation.
The Aerostar balloon N254TH had been diverted off course by unexpected winds and was intentionally brought down in Guinea by the company.
Aerostar believed that all necessary permits for the flight and landing had been secured, but it later emerged that neither had been properly authorised.
After enduring months of court hearings and delays, the two men were finally freed on bail on April 11.
They remained stuck in Conakry without their passports and unable to leave the country for another 42 days before touching down in London tonight.
Liz Saville Roberts MP said: 'I am delighted that Paul Inch and Richard Perham are at liberty at last after being held in Conkary Prison under hideous conditions and then house arrest.
'This has been a nightmare for the two men and their families and friends who have been focussed, resourceful and determined to ensure that never a day went by without seeking their release.'
Guinea's political climate under a military junta, which has strained relations with Western nations and aligned with countries like Russia and China, complicated diplomatic efforts.
Additionally, systematic corruption within Guinea's justice system created ongoing obstacles, with officials repeatedly blocking court-ordered releases.
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