Gay Ugandan asylum seeker in Norway faces deportation
A gay asylum seeker is close to being deported to Uganda by Norway because the court does not believe his sexuality.
The 24-year-old was arrested in the Court of Appeal yesterday by plain clothed immigration service police.
The asylum seeker was in court trying to prove his sexuality and secure his stay in Norway, but immigration authorities claim the applicant has been pretending to be gay since coming to the country in 2014.
The number of LGBT asylum seekers recently rocketed by 400%.
Immigration authorities intended to deport the man this Sunday, despite a final verdict not being heard for another 4 weeks.
The man’s lawyer, Mads Andenæs, feared that if his client was is deported before a final verdict is heard then he will be put in danger.
Andenæs said he was “surprised and upset” over the news that his client was arrested and led out of the court.
“We have had a long court proceeding on the case, the trial was ended ten minutes ago and the case is closed for judgement.
“Whichever formal grounds invoked for deportation, it would be inappropriate and contrary to the separation of powers in our state government.
“It is the Court of Appeal, which will no decide whether he is granted asylum or not,” the lawyer said.
Andenæs requested a temporary injunction to prevent his client from being deported before the court has come to a verdict.
The injunction was successful and for now the asylum seeker can remain in the country until a judgement is made.
The 24-year-old has been rejected asylum so far because courts have ruled that “it can not be assumed that he is actually gay”.
He has had to give evidence of his life as a gay man in Uganda and Norway, and fears that he may be killed if he is deported.
