Asylum seeker ends deportation protest

Shahin Portofeh's application for asylum has been turned down

An Iranian asylum seeker who had sewn up parts of his face to protest against being deported has been taken to hospital to have the stitches removed.

Shahin Portofeh, 23, who's been living in the Hillfields area of Coventry for a year, began his protest after his application to stay in Britain was turned down.

But he ended his hunger strike on Thursday night when doctors and friends persuaded him his life was under threat.

He had claimed he would be tortured or executed if forced to return to Iran.

Refused treatment

Shahin Portofeh, 23, has been without food or drink since the weekend and had refused medical treatment.

After he was told his appeal against a refusal of his application had failed he had sewn up his eyes, ears and mouth.

Although the immigration authorities are likely to seek his removal, it is understood that no date has been set.

A Home Office spokesman said his actions were "deeply regrettable" but would have "no bearing" on his case.

In May, an Iranian Kurdish man living in Nottingham - Abas Amini, 33 - made the same protest but also went on hunger strike.

He had been granted asylum two months previously but his protest was triggered by a Home Office decision to appeal.