Deportation threat against Iranian hunger striker lifted

A threat of deportation against an Iranian man who has been on hunger strike for 35 days has been lifted, Government sources have said.

The apparent breakthrough in the case occured last night as more than 100 people took part in a candlelit vigil outside Globe House, the direct provision centre in Sligo where Amjad Rosstami, 44, is staying.

Sources close to the Department of Justice said that the threat of deportation had been lifted , and Mr Rosstami, who came to Ireland from Britain, was now free to apply for asylum in this country . He had feared that, if sent back to the UK, he would be deported to Iran.