The Iranian refugee Loghman Sawari, who was deported from Fiji after he tried to claim asylum there, has been granted bail by a magistrate in Papua New Guinea.

Sawari, now 21, was a 17-year-old child when he was erroneously sent by the Australian government to the adult men-only Manus Island detention centre. He fled to Fiji on false documents, claiming he faced persecution in PNG.

But in Suva, as he drove with a human rights lawyer to claim asylum from Fiji’s immigration authorities, he was forcibly intercepted by Fiji police and put on a plane back to Port Moresby.

Returned to PNG, Sawari was held in police cells for several days incommunicado, before being charged with giving false information on a PNG passport application.



Earlier this week he was granted bail, under strict conditions, by magistrate Mark Kalandi. Sawari must live with a Catholic priest in Port Moresby and report to police each week. Police opposed his bail, arguing he was a flight risk.

Sawari fled Iran after family members were targeted and executed by the theocratic government there. He has been recognised as a refugee, that is, he has a well-founded fear of persecution in his homeland and he is legally owed protection. He cannot be returned to Iran.

An attempt to settle him in PNG’s second city, Lae, failed. He was beaten, left homeless and slept on the streets. He has also reported been assaulted by guards in immigration detention, including in one alleged attack that left him in hospital.

Sawari will face court again on 20 February.