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UK: An Iranian Kurdish asylum seeker "Thugs ruined my
life"
7.4.2007 |
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April 7, 2007
UK, -- An Iranian Kurdish asylum seeker
beaten to a pulp by a gang who acted like a "pack of
hounds" has spoken for the first time about his
terror.
Yasin Ahmedi was ambushed by a group of six teenage
thugs as he cycled through Walker Park in April last
year.
The 47-year-old had every bone in his face broken by
the mob, who kicked, punched and stamped on him,
fracturing his skull and breaking his ribs.
Mr Ahmedi was in hospital for four weeks as his
whole face needed to be reconstructed. Surgeons had
to remove all of his teeth to rewire his jaw.
Now he has blurred vision in both eyes, wears
hearing aids in both ears and still takes three
different types of powerful painkillers every day.
He is still attending hospital. |
Yasin Ahmedi, Iranian Kurdish asylum in UK |
Last week he had the lining of his nose cauterised,
a painful procedure to try to stop his nosebleeds.
Speaking from his flat in the West End, Mr Ahmedi
said: "I had gone to the park on my bike for some
fresh air and exercise.
"I did not see them or hear them. They jumped out on
me and blocked my path.
"I think they attacked me because I am an asylum
seeker, because I am not British.
"They didn't say anything, they just began beating
me.
"They knocked me off my bike to the ground. After
that I do not remember anything."
As Mr Ahmedi lay on the ground the group of thugs,
aged between 16 and 19, continued to kick and stamp
on him.
Even after he lost consciousness they showed no
mercy. Mr Ahmedi took repeated blows to the face,
chest and legs.
His life was only saved because a woman passing by
intervened and stopped the attack.
The mystery woman was not named in court, but Judge
Beatrice Bolton said at Newcastle Crown Court she
"showed enormous courage" and awarded her £500 for
her bravery.
Mr Ahmedi said: "I have asked Victim Support if they
know who the woman was that helped me because I
would like to meet her.
"I would like to thank her."
Mr Ahmedi has both physical and psychological scars.
He has suffered with nightmares and flashbacks and
he talks quietly and hesitantly. Speaking through a
translator, he said: "I cannot see well and I cannot
hear very well. I have pain and I don't know how
long for. I still have fear."
"Even though these people are in prison for beating
me, I am still frightened and I don't think I can
feel better."
Mr Ahmedi, a Kurd who fled Iran to escape
persecution, revealed that despite his terrible
ordeal he still might be sent back there.
He said: "I left a country with no human rights. I
left my wife, my three children and my life there
because I was scared of torture.
"I did not come here for work, not for any other
thing. I came here to save my life, not for money.
And now I have nothing. No teeth, no family and
still I have no human rights."
Mr Ahmedi's fate is in the hands of the Home Office.
He is not permitted to work and there is nothing he
can do but wait.
He said: "I left my life in Iran behind and now I
want to make a life here, but these attackers have
left me with nothing. They've finished my life."
Ringleader Stephen McLeod, 18, of Pinner Place,
Newcastle, and William Day, 19, of Elgin Gardens,
Walker, pleaded guilty when they appeared at
Newcastle Crown Court in February. Each was
sentenced to six years for grievous bodily harm.
Sean Smith, 18, of, Monkchester Road, Walker and
Gary Smith, also 18, of Corby Gardens, Newcastle,
also admitted GBH with intent and were sentenced to
five years.
The 16-year-old and 17-year-old involved in the
attack each received sentences of three years.
icnetwork co.uk
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