Asylum seeker celebrates release

Abrahim Rahimi has been freed pending a new asylum claim

A protest to support a student who was facing deportation to Afghanistan has been turned into a celebratory rally after he was freed from detention.

Abrahim Rahimi, 19, an English student at Canterbury Christ Church University College, was detained in Dover in June after a three-year fight for asylum.

Kent Campaign to Defend Asylum Seekers was to hold a protest on Wednesday at Christ Church student union.

Now Abrahim, whose solicitor has made a new asylum claim, will be at the rally.

Finishes education

Spokeswoman Kate Adams said: "We are pleased that he has been released because we were very worried about him.

"But he has not been granted asylum and he could be detained again.

"We think he should be allowed to stay until he finishes his education."

Abrahim returned to social services accommodation in Canterbury on Monday.

He has to sign on at the immigration reporting centre in Folkestone while waiting for his new asylum claim to be heard.

His supporters said he would be in grave danger if he was sent back to Afghanistan.

He came to the UK after his father, a general in the communist-era regime, was killed by the Taleban, and fears the same fate if he returns.

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