Iranian grandma in SA faces deportation

The family of an Iranian grandmother who fled political persecution is begging authorities to let her stay in Adelaide.

Family and friends of an ill Iranian grandmother who fled to Adelaide to escape political persecution say her life is in danger if she's deported.

The woman - who is in her 60s, has a heart condition and cannot be named for privacy reasons - joined her refugee family in Australia five years ago, her Modbury and Para Vista Uniting Church says.

Advocate Reverend Tony Goodluck says she's being forced to leave the country to reapply for refugee status.

"She was grabbed and locked up for 15 days. She was abused. They did things to her that are unspeakable," he told AAP on Thursday.

"There's a good chance similar things will be done now. The family fear for her life if she goes back. It's as dire as that, it really is."

Rev Goodluck said the woman travelled to Australia on a visitor visa, organised before the persecution began.

It recently expired after being renewed multiple times.

Her daughter, Gololeh, said she needed to stay with family because she was sick.

"No one is there, no one. And she's in (a) dangerous place. She needs someone [to] help her. She needs someone to look after her," the distressed woman told ABC radio.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has been contacted for comment.


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Source: AAP



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