Kazemian granted residency

Tammy Sadeghi director of IFIR in Vancouver canada: "The community came out to show their support for Amir and I think they got the message."
 

Vancouver 24Hours, Tears and cheers were in abundance yesterday as Iranian refugee Amir Kazemian's roller-coaster ride finally came to an end.

The Immigration and Refugee Board announced yesterday it had accepted Kazemian's refugee application and set him free just days after his arrest.

Kazemian took up sanctuary at Vancouver's St. Michael's Anglican church two years and eight months ago.

The Christian convert feared that deportation to Iran would result in torture or even death.

He remained at St. Michael's until Saturday, when a Vancouver police officer - who had no idea about Kazemian's story - arrested him under an immigration warrant.

Family and friends rallied outside the Immigration and Refugee Board office in Vancouver yesterday and were astonished to find out Kazemian's application for refugee status had been accepted.

"I'm so excited," said Tammy Sadeghi of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees. "The community came out to show their support for Amir and I think they got the message."

Sadeghi said the decision may help other people in similar situations.

Anglican priest John Marsh was thrilled with the news.

"He's become a part of our community and we're a part of him," he smiled, adding that the next time Kazemian will be at St. Michael's, it will be to pick up his personal belongings so he can begin his life in Canada as a free man.