Latest news with #asylumseeker
The Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Inquiry into fatal shooting of asylum seeker to last up to 12 weeks
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of an asylum seeker who was shot dead by police after going on a knife rampage at a hotel in Glasgow is expected to take up to 12 weeks. Badreddin Abdalla Adam Bosh, 28, an asylum seeker from Sudan, stabbed six people on June 26 2020. He was being housed at the Park Inn Hotel, West George Street, Glasgow, where the attack happened, and was one of hundreds of asylum seekers moved into hotels in Glasgow at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Mr Bosh was shot dead by police who attended the scene. A preliminary hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court was told the inquiry will examine 'areas of dispute' including whether mental health assessment was sufficient; and whether tasers should be classified similarly to batons when used by police officers. The Home Office, Mears Group PLC, the Scottish Police Federation, Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and Migrant Help UK are some of the organisations which will have legal representation. Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar said that an anonymity order for police officers involved has been granted and that the fatal accident inquiry is expected to take between 10 to 12 weeks. She said that the incident had been 'clearly distressing for all involved'. Last year, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain decided it was in the public interest to hold a discretionary FAI. Emma Toner, representing Police Scotland, said: 'The principle area of interest is in the police response to the incident.' The hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court was told that Police Scotland 'had no knowledge that the hotel was housing asylum seekers' and that there could have been the opportunity to 'de-escalate', according to Shelagh McCall KC, representing the Scottish Police Federation. Ms McCall said: 'Police Scotland had no knowledge that this hotel housed asylum seekers at relevant time. Had that been communicated there was the opportunity for community engagement with staff and residents at hotel. 'Community policing can help with issues before they escalate.' She said that other issues were 'in relation to a spontaneous firearms incident', and the armed police operating standard procedure, regarding 'communication difficulties' and 'whether there are others in the area which match the description of the suspect'. She said that many of the asylum seekers at the hotel did not speak English but had to communicate with armed police, and that the inquiry would hear evidence that tasers 'were used by trained officers who need permission to deploy' and 'should be treated like batons'. Sheriff Principal Anwar said that the scope for investigating mental health training for officers was 'too broad' but that 'whether they had been made aware of it, would be different'. Adam Black, representing NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: 'One area of dispute is questions around assessment of Mr Bosh's mental health.' Sheriff Principal Anwar said: 'Clearly this incident was distressing for all those involved, there is keen interest in moving forward, and that all parties are prepared.' She fixed a further preliminary hearing for September 15.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Asylum seeker killed in Dublin died from stab wound to chest, inquest hears
An asylum seeker who suffered fatal injuries during a violent incident in Dublin city centre earlier this year died from a stab wound to the chest, an inquest has heard. Quham Babatunde (34), an ex-footballer who came originally from Nigeria, died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident on Anne Street South in the early hours of February 15th last. Advertisement The injured man, who was living in an accommodation centre for international protection applicants in Ballyogan in south Dublin while his request for asylum was being processed, was rushed by ambulance to St James's Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later. At the opening of an inquest into Mr Babatunde's death at Dublin District Coroner's Court on Monday, a friend of the deceased, Faith Akpobome, gave evidence of formally identifying his body to gardaí at Dublin City Mortuary in Whitehall. Ms Akpobome said she had known Mr Babatunde since May 2024 and had spoken to his uncle in Nigeria, Adeola Olayokun, to confirm that she could assist gardaí for the purpose of identifying his nephew's body. The inquest heard that fingerprint evidence was also used to confirm his identity with officials from Forensic Science Ireland matching the fingerprints of the deceased with those provided by Mr Babatunde to the International Protection Office when he was applying for asylum. Advertisement The coroner, Clare Keane, said the results of a postmortem conducted by State pathologist, Sally Anne Collis, showed Mr Babatunde died from a stab wound to the chest. Detective Inspector Katharina Joyce applied for an adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (2) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings had already commenced in relation to Mr Babatunde's death. A total of nine individuals have already been arrested and charged in relation to the fatal incident as part of the investigation in Mr Babatunde's death. Ryan Ndede (23), of Boroimhe Birches, Swords, Co Dublin, was charged with Quham Babatunde's murder and held in custody after he appeared at Belfast Magistrate's Court on February 21st after he was arrested by the PSNI after boarding a ferry to England. Advertisement David Oloo Omee (19) of The Lawn, St Marnock's Bay, Dublin 13, is charged with engaging in violent disorder with others at Anne Street South and assault causing harm to Adetola Adetuilehim, a friend of the deceased. Rory Carr, 21, of Ard na Greine, Seapoint Lane, Balbriggan, is accused of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde and Mr Adetuilehim on Anne Street South and violent disorder. Jeffrey Bangu, 21, of Cardy Rock Crescent, Balbriggan, is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde at Duke Lane and to Adetuilehim at Anne Street South. He is also accused of violent disorder and the production of a knife during the incident. Advertisement Sean Forde (23), of Bath Road, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is charged with violent disorder at Anne Street South. John Eghomwanre (23) of Dun Emer Glade, Lusk, Co Dublin, is accused of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde on Anne Street South and Mr Adetuilehim at Duke Lane, as well as violent disorder. Bakuani Diavisi (25) of Cardy Rock, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is charged with assault causing harm to another named male at Dawson Street, Dublin 2, on the same date. Ireland Man (30s) arrested over criminal damage in Cork ci... Read More Bruno Tache (20) of Trimleston, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is charged with violent disorder and assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde and another man, Angel Ahgaria. Faraj Odukoya (19) of Hamlet Lane, Balbriggan, Dublin, is accused of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde at Anne Street South and to Mr Adetuilehim at Duke Lane, and violent disorder. The coroner granted the application and adjourned the hearing of Mr Babatunde's inquest until a date to be fixed on conclusion of any related criminal proceedings. Dr Keane also offered her condolences to Mr Babatunde's family on what she described as his 'tragic death.'
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Afghan asylum seeker, 29, who raped 15-year-old schoolgirl in town centre is jailed for nine years
An Afghan asylum seeker who raped a 15-year-old schoolgirl after following her in a town centre has been jailed for nine years. Sadeq Nikzad, 29, targeted the teenager after spotting her walking down a town centre street in Falkirk, Scotland on October 16 2023. He approached her and tried to start up a conversation with her before continually pestering her for her phone number. The 29-year-old then made several sexual comments, and eventually led the girl into a courtyard where he raped her, prosecutors said. After a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, Nikzad was convicted on March 5. He was given a 12-year extended sentence involving nine years in custody and three years of supervision upon release. He was also added to the sex offenders register indefinitely, and given an indefinite non-harassment order banning contact with her. Katrina Parkes, procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offences, said: 'This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business. 'The victim should be commended for reporting Sadeq Nikzad to the police, ensuring that he has now been held accountable while also protecting others from harm. 'This type of offending will not be tolerated, and I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children. 'I would urge anyone who has experienced similar crime to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use every tool available in seeking justice.' Detective inspector Forbes Wilson, from the Forth Valley public protection unit, said: 'This was a particularly harrowing attack which was carried out during daylight in a busy town centre. 'Nikzad's heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal. 'I would also like to thank local officers for their excellent work which ensured Nikzad was identified, arrested and off the street within a few short hours following the incident. 'Police Scotland remains committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. 'I'd encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us. We'll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.' Chief Inspector Alexander Hatrick, Area Commander for Falkirk, said: 'We understand that crimes of this nature have a serious impact on the local community. 'We will continue to work closely with partners to address any such concerns in the area.'
BBC News
18-06-2025
- BBC News
Man who raped girl, 15, on Falkirk street jailed for nine years
A man who raped a 15-year-old girl after following her on a street in Stirlingshire has been jailed for nine Nikzad, 29, targeted the girl in Falkirk town centre in October an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, repeatedly requested her telephone number, uttered sexual remarks then led her into a courtyard where he raped the High Court in Livingston, Judge Morris told him it was an "extremely serious sexual offence" and said he would be deported after his sentence. The court heard that Nikzad had entered the UK illegally two years before the counsel Janice Green told the court there were language difficulties and a "cultural barrier" between Nikzad's home country where child marriage was said: "I'm not suggesting that means that he reasonably believed (the complainer) was consenting, but that there's a reason why he could have misunderstood." Harrowing attack Passing sentence, Judge Morris said: "I appreciate that you don't accept that you've done anything wrong, but the fact remains that you've been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child."I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate."Police Scotland's Det Insp Forbes Wilson said it was "a particularly harrowing attack carried out during daylight in a busy town centre".He said: "Nikzad's heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal."After his jail term Nikzad will be supervised on license for three years.A non-harassment order banning Nikzad from contacting or attempting to contact the victim was also granted indefinitely.
Times
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Times
‘People smuggler' re-enters UK despite being stripped of citizenship
An asylum seeker who was granted UK nationality but was later stripped of his citizenship over his alleged links to a prolific people-smuggling ring has managed to return to the country using his British passport. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is thought to have been on holiday in Iraq when he was served with a citizenship deprivation order by the Home Office because of his suspected involvement in 'serious organised crime'. Yet he was somehow allowed to re-enter Britain and is now contesting his removal on human rights grounds because he has a wife and children here. The alleged people smuggler has been granted anonymity by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), the secretive court where he is appealing against the decision to strip him of British citizenship. He is referred to only as 'G5'.
