VICTORY IN CAMPAIGN TO SPARE MAN FROM DEPORTATION TO BRUTAL IRANIAN REGIME

12.38.16pm GMT Thu 20th Mar 2008

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, has expressed his delight at the news that Mr Ali Pourakaberian has escaped deportation to Iran - where he faces appalling persecution and torture as a result of his religious beliefs - at the eleventh hour, following a local campaign to call on the Government to allow him to remain. Mr Pourakaberian was due to be deported tomorrow.

The campaign culminated today in the presentation of a petition at 10 Downing Street by Mr Mulholland, and members of the St George's Church in Leeds, and in an Early Day Motion which Mr Mulholland tabled in the House of Commons this morning, calling for a halt to the deportation of Mr Pourakaberian, and all those who would face torture and persecution as a result of their religious beliefs.

Following the presentation of the petition and the release of Mr Pourakaberian on bail, Mr Mulholland said:

"I am delighted that the Government have relented, and saved Ali from deportation to a country where he almost certainly would have faced appalling persecution and brutality.

"It cannot be right to send anyone back to a place where there is a severe and credible risk that they will face torture purely as a result of their religious beliefs.

"I hope that today's decision will be swiftly followed by Ali being given the permanent right to stay, so he will finally be free to begin to build a life for himself in Leeds among his fellow church members and friends."