Deportation case man freed

Ali Serir and his wife Karen were arrested

An Algerian man arrested during an anti-terrorism operation four months ago has been given bail to pursue a new asylum application.

Ali Serir, of Royston, Glasgow, was detained in February under the Terrorism Act.

He was never charged with any offence but since then has been held at Greenock Prison following moves by the Home Office to deport him.

On Thursday he was given bail to pursue a new asylum application at a hearing before an Immigration Appellate Authority adjudicator in Glasgow.

Mr Serir was released on the condition that his wife Karen lodged a £1,000 bail guarantee.

Mrs Serir, 31, who is six months pregnant, said she was "very happy" at the decision.

Ali Serir should never have been arrested and never detained for four months

Tommy Sheridan
Scottish Socialist Party leader

Mr Serir said: "I can't explain to you how angry I was, I was innocent and I am innocent."

The release was welcomed by friends and supporters, including Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan.

"This is a fantastic result for a working class family from Glasgow who were denied justice until today," he said.

"Ali Serir should never have been arrested and never detained for four months."

The 28-year-old had been due to be deported last month.

However, he received a last-minute reprieve when the order was cancelled "for the foreseeable future" the day before he was due to leave the country.

Mr Serir's legal team said he was unlikely to face any charges following his arrest.

Lawyer Aamer Anwar told the hearing that there were insufficient grounds to detain his client any longer under the Immigration Act.