Tourist wins compensation for unlawful detention

An African engineer holidaying in the North was thrown in a high-security prison and strip-searched on suspicion of illegal immigration despite proof of employment, the North's Equality Commission said today.

Frank Kakopa, from Zimbabwe, received £7,500 (€10,700) compensation and apologies from the immigration service after he was detained at Belfast City Airport in August 2005 and put in Maghaberry Prison, Co Antrim, for two days.