Pacific / Papua New Guinea

Refugee deported from Fiji applies for bail

13:56 pm on 10 February 2017

The refugee deported to Papua New Guinea from Fiji is due to apply for bail today in Port Moresby.

Loghman Sawari in Fiji. Photo: Behrouz Boochani

Loghman Sawari, who was detained on Manus Island by Australia, has been charged with giving false information in his passport application.

The 21-year-old from Iran said he feared for his safety after being resettled in PNG and escaped to Fiji last month to apply for asylum.

He's been held at the Waigani police station since the Fiji government forcibly deported him last week and was treated in hospital yesterday for apparent self-harm injuries.

One of Mr Sawari's lawyers, Ben Lomai, said he suspected corrupt immigration officials helped the refugee obtain a false passport.