Hunger-striker removes mouth stitches

THE Iranian who stitched his mouth together on hunger strike in protest at his asylum appeal has begun drinking water after removing the stitching.

Adnan Hassan Mohamedi has refused food for two weeks in a desperate attempt to highlight his asylum application. The 35-year-old has been here for 16 months and claims, as a former member of Iran’s socialist party, he was tortured and beaten. Acquaintances say his arms are heavily bruised.

The father-of-one unstitched his mouth on Wednesday and began taking small amounts of water, after pleas from concerned supporters. However, he remains on hunger strike in his bed in Hatch Hall, Leeson Street, Dublin.

His lips remained stitched together for six days, until he finally listened to pleas.

TD Aengus O’Snodaigh, who visited Mr Mohamedi this week, said it was understandable why asylum seekers became discontent waiting long periods to find out about their status here.

“We warned him if he didn’t take water he would be dead in 10 days and how upset his family would be.

“He’s frustrated with the system and the lack of communication from the Department [of Justice]. They [asylum seekers] end up sitting around, they can’t work, they can’t join clubs. But it’s crazy what he’s doing; we’ve told him,” added deputy O’Snodaigh.

The Sinn Féin representative intends asking immigrant officials today to clarify his case in writing.

Friends and locals have tried to reassure Mr Mohamedi in recent days he is unlikely to face deportation seeking refuge from being returned to Iran. He also wants to find his wife and eight-year-old daughter, Sayh, who are believed to have fled to a Kurdish area in northern Iraq.

A GP has weighed Mr Mohamedi at least twice since his hunger strike began and department sources, say his case is being monitored. Attempts are also been made to introduce him to a Kurdish support group in Ireland. According to Rosanna Flynn with Residents Against Racism, a lack of communication forced the Iranian to resort to the stark measures. “Nothing was made clear to him about the asylum system.

“He’s unfastened his mouth, but is still doing damage to his health.”

Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s spokeswoman said the department could not comment on individual cases. A decision on Mr Mohamedi’s right to remain is still pending.

It is believed to be the second time Mr Mohamedi has refused to eat in protest at his asylum status.