Iranian man’s struggle to get a visa means he would rather be sent home to be killed
An Iranian man was so frustrated with his struggle to get permanent residency that he took drastic steps to be deported. But now he claims he would be killed if he returns.
Crime and Court
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AN Iranian man fears he will be killed if he is deported after he allegedly rammed the back of a police car due to frustrations over the visa process.
Ramin Bahr Kazemi, 30, has tried multiple times in the past week to plead guilty to last week’s crash but has been told police prosecutors are not ready.
It is alleged Kazemi rammed the back of a police vehicle on Peninsular Drive, Surfers Paradise on Tuesday in an attempt to be deported.
Magistrate Gary Finger today, in the Southport Magistrates Court, denied Kazemi bail.
Kazemi faces charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, serious assault of a police officer and unlawful damage to police property.
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Defence lawyer Lisa Searing, of Buckland Allen Criminal Lawyers, said Kazemi was so frustrated after having a bid for permeant residency refused that for a moment he thought it would be better if he was deported.
“He is in a situation where if he goes home from what is considered an infidel country he is likely to be killed upon return,” Ms Searing said.
“He was so despondent (at the time of the crash) that he thought: ‘Just send me home and let them kill me’.”
Ms Searing told the court Kazemi has recently had his attempt to become a permanent resident rejected and had recently lost his job.
He is in the country on a bridging visa and cannot access unemployment benefits.
Ms Searing said Kazemi was going about 20 to 30km/h at the time of the crash.
“He said to me this: he understands that he injured the police officers and he made a horrible mistake … he is so remorseful and so sorry, he is not going to do anything to hurt anyone again,” she said.
Kazemi was assisted in court by an interpreter — the first time the service had been provided to him despite twice appearing in court last week.
Police prosecutors have delayed the matter to get medical records of the two police officers.
Kazemi will appear in court again next Tuesday.
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