Deportation risks life of Iranian: claim

AP: An Iranian asylum seeker faces death after being forcibly removed from a detention centre in preparation for deportation, refugee advocates said. The 27-year-old Ahwaz Iranian man had been in the Baxter detention centre in South Australia’s north for the past five years. He was forcibly removed from the centre in readiness to be deported to Iran, advocates said. Associated Press

An Iranian asylum seeker faces death after being forcibly removed from a detention centre in preparation for deportation, refugee advocates said.

The 27-year-old Ahwaz Iranian man had been in the Baxter detention centre in South Australia’s north for the past five years.

He was forcibly removed from the centre in readiness to be deported to Iran, advocates said.

“He’s on his way to his death,” advocate Jack Smit, from Project SafeCom, said.

The man fled Iran in fear of his life after his fiance was killed, Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said.

“The (immigration) minister (Amanda Vanstone) knows that this man’s life is in danger should he be returned to Iran, yet it seems she is still willing to deport him,” Mr Rintoul said.

He said up to 15 guards “snatched” the man while he was being visited by an elderly lady and her daughter.

The man, who had recently been told his application to Senator Vanstone to reopen his case had been rejected, was believed to have been placed on a charter flight to Sydney from where he will be deported.

Comment was being sought from the Immigration Department.