Scoop News: Ali Reza Panah To Be Released On Bail

Ali Reza Panah, the Iranian asylum seeker who has been held in prison awaiting his signature on documents that would see him deported back to Iran, has been granted bail.

But there's a catch... While in a confused state after 27 days on a hunger-strike, government lawyers had him sign papers committing to return voluntarily to Iran.

Earlier this week Mr Panah was rushed from prison to hospital in a weak and emaciated state - on the 26th day of his hunger strike, a protest against the government's decision to hold him in prison until he signed passport and deportation papers.

Mr Panah had been held in Mt Eden remand prison for more than 18 months.

Yesterday a bed-side court hearing was held, and the judge ordered that Mr Panah be released on bail as soon as he is well enough to leave hospital.

And while attending this hearing, Mr Panah's legal team from Wynyard Wood agreed to having Mr Panah sign a document committing himself to leaving New Zealand voluntarily once well and within six weeks. Supporters of Mr Panah say he is very weak and that he has been taken advantage of by Crown lawyers at a time when his attention and bodily state is at its weakest. Mr Panah will require hospital treatment for a time, but remains strong in spirit.

The Crown still may appeal the bail decision.

The government wants to deport Mr Panah to Iran but his future there is uncertain. He believes his future there is unsafe particularly as he converted to Christianity (to the Anglican religion) before he arrived in New Zealand.

Amnesty International has called for people in his situation to be given temporary visas until it is safe for them to return to Iran.

However the New Zealand government is seeking agreement with Iran to fast-track deportation procedures that will bypass the current legal necessity of having asylum seekers like Mr Panah sign documentation.

Mr Panah's plight was raised by Global Peace and Justice Auckland earlier this week, and followed several protests outside Mt Eden Prison.

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