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The Iranian star of a film having its London premiere today said she fears for her life if her appeal to stay in Britain is rejected.
Kiana Firouz, who plays a lesbian seeking asylum in Britain in Cul-de-Sac, said she could face execution if she returns to her home country, where homosexuality is illegal, after Iranian intelligence services found footage of a documentary that she had been secretly filming.
The 27-year-old, who came to Britain two years ago as a student, had her asylum appeal rejected because she could conceal her homosexuality.
She has lodged a final appeal, arguing that publicity for Cul-de-Sac has made her homosexuality common knowledge.
She told Radio Free Europe: “My application was ignored by the Home Office despite the serious threat to my life if they deport me to Iran.”
One of her legal representatives said: “She will be in incredible danger, not only because she's gay but because the film does not show the Iranian authorities in a good light.”
Reader views (10)
With the bizarre interpretation of the 'uman Rights Act in this country and the very dangerous people it forces us to allow to stay here, I think she would be safer in Iran.
Why is the UK the only country that puts the rights of mass murderers over and above the rights and safety of society? Oh yes, that would be the liberal-lefty nutters we have in positions of influence.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 21/05/2010 09:53
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Can the UK afford the precident? Not just homosexuality, but anything disliked by Islam is apparently enough to be targetted by one fanatic or another. Is the UK big enough to fit them all in?
- Rogan, Irving, 21/05/2010 03:10
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Frankly Dave on the fate of this young lady you do sound rather callous to me.
- ALAN., ENGLAND., 20/05/2010 21:56
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Ok - so, every time a male or female homosexual comes to Britain from a Muslim country they are going to expect to be able to stay because it's dangerous for them to go home? Can Britain afford to set such a precident?
- Rogan, Irving, 20/05/2010 18:47
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I see the compassion from ES readers is overflowing again.
davey-bouy, you are clearly a hard hearted man with strong principles and opinions. Why don't you escort her back to Iran, and whilst your there, carry out her execution on behalf of the Iranian authorities. or are you just a ranting nazi numbnut. You could drive her in your white van.
- Kerry, Purley, 20/05/2010 18:38
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I do not wish to appear too callous but please can we send this person back to her own country POSTE HASTE.
- Davey_bouy, Chertsey, 20/05/2010 17:58
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Does anybody believe a word of this nonsense?
- M Miguel, Old Isleworth, 20/05/2010 16:12
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I read in the papers Al-Qaeda operative can stay in Britain despite being a serious threat, the papers words not mine, as it would breach his human rights. Yet we are to deport this poor girl. Where are all those feminists and gay right protestors on this one. Remarkably silent it appears.
- ALAN., ENGLAND., 20/05/2010 16:01
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What an unexpectedly difficult situation for a person to find herself in. All she's done is make a gay film and a programme critical of the authorities and - how shocking - she's discovered they're dangerously after her. Oh well - best stay here.
- Margarita, London, 20/05/2010 15:09
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That old chestnut eh ?
- Andy Woodhead, London, ENGLAND, 20/05/2010 14:26
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