Release Farrokh Shiri

"I am very, very puzzled. In this country they say I am not allowed to kill myself, but on the other hand they want to return me to people who will kill me."

- Farrokh Shiri, Iranian asylum seeker. HMP Exeter, March 15, 2001

On March 7, Farrokh Shiri, an Iranian asylum seeker staying at a YMCA hostel in Penzance had just discovered his appeal for political asylum in Britain had been turned down by the UK Home Office. He was given eight days in which to make a final appeal against the decision. In a very distressed state, Shiri threatened to take his own life with a ball-bearing gun. After several hours, Shiri was arrested and charged. He faces two charges - one relating to possessing a replica handgun and another of intending to use an imitation firearm with the intent of resisting arrest. He appeared before Penzance Magistrates Court on March 9 and his case was fast-tracked to the Crown Court. Shiri was remanded in custody at HMP Exeter, where he was placed on the Prison Hospital Wing. He appeared before the Truro Crown Court on March 16, and was remanded into custody until May 4. Because he has been in custody, he has been unable to make his final appeal to the Home Office and the period he was given to do this has expired. Also, if he is found guilty of the criminal charges, he faces a lengthy prison sentence - then deportation.

To support Shiri, contact IFIR, the National Civil Rights Movement South West, E-mail: ncrmsouthwest@aol.com or the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) E-mail: ncadc@ncadc.org.uk.