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Gay
Iranian teen's case will be reviewed says Home Office
(Mar 13, 08)
PinkNews.co.uk staff writer
An Iranian teenager who was facing deportation and
possible execution will have his case reviewed.
The decision was announced moments ago. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"Following representations made on behalf of Mehdi Kazemi, and in the
light of new circumstances since the original decision was made, I have
decided that Mr Kazemi's case should be reconsidered on his return to the
UK from the
Netherlands."
More than 60 members of the House of Lords wrote to Home Secretary
yesterday urging the government to "show compassion" to Mehdi Kazemi, who
fears he will be executed for homosexual acts if he is returned.
The review announced by the Home Office means the deportation order
against him is suspended.
Gay equality organisation Stonewall welcomed the decision to review his
case.
"We are delighted that the Home Secretary has listened so closely to the
argument put to her," chief executive Ben Summerskill told PinkNews.co.uk.
"We are also particularly grateful to those members of the House of Lords
who raised the case as well."
Mr Kazemi, 19, was studying in the UK and applied for asylum after his
boyfriend was arrested and reportedly executed in Tehran.
The boyfriend named Mehdi as a homosexual, and police turned up at his
father's house with a warrant to arrest him.
His asylum application was unsuccessful in the UK, so Mehdi fled to
Holland.
The Dutch authorities ruled earlier this week he should be returned to the
UK.
http://pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7125.html
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