Gay, Iranian Teen
Gay Iranian Teen Asylum Seeker Goes on Hunger Strike As He Faces Return to UK
20/02/08 01:00 Filed in: World Male
News
LONDON, February 18, 2008 – Mehdi, the 19-years-old
gay Iranian who fled the United Kingdom last year
when the Home Office ordered his deportation to Iran,
is expected to go on hunger strike in the Rotterdam
detention centre where he is being held, his
supporters in the UK said this afternoon.
Following the loss of an appeal in a Netherlands court not to be returned to the UK, Mehdi was arrested on Tuesday of last week.
His uncle, who has lived and worked in the UK for more than 30 years, has been in regular telephone contact with him. But now the only telephone calls Mehdi permitted is with his legal representative in Amsterdam.
“He told me he was to be deported on Tuesday February 26 on a flight from Amsterdam to London Heathrow,” the uncle said.
“Mehdi told me he is going on hunger strike – he is very depressed and is on suicide watch.
“I am very worried,” he admitted.
Mehdi was in England for two years completing his education on a student visa. While in this country he learned that his former boyfriend had been executed for being gay. Before execution, he revealed Mehdi’s identity, it is thought under torture.
It was after he learned of the execution he decided to apply to the UK authorities for asylum, saying that his life would be in danger if he returned to Iran.
Source: UK Gay News, 18/2/2008
Following the loss of an appeal in a Netherlands court not to be returned to the UK, Mehdi was arrested on Tuesday of last week.
His uncle, who has lived and worked in the UK for more than 30 years, has been in regular telephone contact with him. But now the only telephone calls Mehdi permitted is with his legal representative in Amsterdam.
“He told me he was to be deported on Tuesday February 26 on a flight from Amsterdam to London Heathrow,” the uncle said.
“Mehdi told me he is going on hunger strike – he is very depressed and is on suicide watch.
“I am very worried,” he admitted.
Mehdi was in England for two years completing his education on a student visa. While in this country he learned that his former boyfriend had been executed for being gay. Before execution, he revealed Mehdi’s identity, it is thought under torture.
It was after he learned of the execution he decided to apply to the UK authorities for asylum, saying that his life would be in danger if he returned to Iran.
Source: UK Gay News, 18/2/2008