Lee Mordecai arriving at court in Swansea

Kalan Kawa Karim, a 29-year-old Iraqi Kurdish man, died in hospital after he was attacked outside a pub on the Kingsway.

Lee Mordecai, from the Swansea area, appeared before the city's magistrates on Tuesday morning.

He has been remanded in custody until 24 September when he will appear before Swansea Crown Court.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has been urged to intervene to help Mr Karim's family carry out their funeral wishes.

His wife and parents want to bury him in his home city of Dahuk in northern Iraq but, with continuing security issues following the war, organising the journey would be difficult and hazardous.

Donald Anderson, Swansea East MP and chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, has asked the UK government to ensure the body is returned home.

Mr Karim died in hospital last week

It was the 29-year-old refugee's wish to rebuild his life in Iraq.

His friend Sarkat Junad said: "The body should be buried the next day but the body is still here."

Mr Junad said he knew questions were being asked of the government but said: "We would be quite happy but the way they could do it, I don't know, what are they going to do to help us?"

Mr Anderson said there were various options to look at, including going to the Iraqi embassy.

"I am very ready to write to the Foreign Office to see if they can help.