Asylum man seeks payout for Heathrow camp ordeal

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Kahraman Inetas, 40, fled Turkey after claiming he had been tortured for taking part in anti-government demonstrations.

The former farm worker, a Kurd, arrived in Germany with his wife Fatima in 1999. But after she gave birth to their first daughter, Melissa, in a refugee camp, their asylum application was refused and they travelled to London, where they applied again.

In a writ issued against the Home Office, Mr Inetas - who by this time was being treated for mental illness he believes was triggered by the stress of the plight - claims theywere arrested by "aggressive" officers after their application failed.

The family were sent to Harmondsworth detention centre, near Heathrow, and Mr Inetas said his health deteriorated.

"Conditions were very bad," he told the Evening Standard today. "I was not able to eat and lost a lot of weight - almost 5lb in one day - and was too weak to stand up."

The family were bailed and allowed to appeal against the refusal of their asylum application. But in September 2005, Mr Inetas claims he was arrested again.

He said: "They came at 6am and kicked the door down. We were terrified. I was taken away and my wife and daughter did not know where I was going."

The family were returned to Germany where Mr Inetas was held in jailwhile his wife and daughter stayed in a refugee camp. In jail, his health deteriorated further.

Eventually the family were allowed to return to Britain, where they have discretionary leave to stay until next year.

The family, who also include three-yearold daughter Rojin, claim the Home Office was guilty of "misfeasance in public office". They want a declaration that their human rights were violated.

Mr Inetas said: "I am very angry but I am not bothered about money. I just want to be able to give my daughters a good education.

"We are very scared because we do not know what will happen to us. But we hope to start a new life."

The Home Office said it would not comment on individual cases. But a spokesman added: "We will not remove anyone we believe is at risk on their return. But it is important we are able to enforce returns of those who do not need protection."