August 31, 2008
THE former bodyguard of a Lebanese president is reported to have said he will be killed if the Australian government forces him to return to Lebanon.
The Sunday Herald Sun reports Naji Mazloum, who has lived as a refugee in Melbourne's western suburbs since 2001, will be deported to Lebanon this week unless the Rudd Government grants him a last-minute reprieve.
Mr Mazloum was once a vocal member of the Lebanese Liberal party, and says he will be murdered by political opponents if sent back to Lebanon. The Federal Government has reportedly refused his plea for political asylum.
Mr Mazloum's wife and three children live in Lebanon.
"I fear for my life," he said. "My wife says `I would rather speak to you on the phone than for you to come back here and be killed.'
"She says `I'd rather you talk on the phone to your children than for them to have no father.'"
The Department of Immigration said Australia had a "comprehensive, fair and transparent" refugee protection process.
"People who are owed protection will receive it," it said. "It is expected any person whose case has been finally determined, and they have no grounds for remaining in Australia, should depart."
THE former bodyguard of a Lebanese president is reported to have said he will be killed if the Australian government forces him to return to Lebanon.
The Sunday Herald Sun reports Naji Mazloum, who has lived as a refugee in Melbourne's western suburbs since 2001, will be deported to Lebanon this week unless the Rudd Government grants him a last-minute reprieve.
Mr Mazloum was once a vocal member of the Lebanese Liberal party, and says he will be murdered by political opponents if sent back to Lebanon. The Federal Government has reportedly refused his plea for political asylum.
Mr Mazloum's wife and three children live in Lebanon.
"I fear for my life," he said. "My wife says `I would rather speak to you on the phone than for you to come back here and be killed.'
"She says `I'd rather you talk on the phone to your children than for them to have no father.'"
The Department of Immigration said Australia had a "comprehensive, fair and transparent" refugee protection process.
"People who are owed protection will receive it," it said. "It is expected any person whose case has been finally determined, and they have no grounds for remaining in Australia, should depart."
Source: The Australian
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