Mehdi, in detention in Rotterdam, is put on suicide watch

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.

They Hang Gay Teenagers, Don’t They? 
A gay Iranian teenager whose asylum claim was denied in the UK fled to the Netherlands, and then to Germany. The Germans returned him to the Dutch, who are now threatening to return him to the Brits, who have already decided to return the gay teenager to Iran.  And you know what they do to gay teenagers in Iran, right? (Seattle Stranger - USA, December 20)

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.

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