Savvas Panas of the Pilion Trust: “I really hope someone can help me”
A CHARITY BOSS is desperately seeking to stop the planned forced deportation of a “big hearted” chef scheduled for this evening.
Savvas Panas, of the Pilion Trust in Caledonian Road, is asking for immigration specialists to get in touch to help halt the deportation of a 28-year-old man who has been in the country for 18 years.
Mali, whose name we have changed because he is a victim of gang harassment, is currently being held at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre by Heathrow Airport. His flight to Nariobi with a connecting flight later to Mogadishu is scheduled to leave at 6.25pm from Heathrow Terminal Four.
Mr Panas said his charity, which houses homeless youngsters over the winter months, found Mali bleeding near the bins at an estate in Finsbury Park back in 2009. He came under the care of Islington Council and the Trust.
Mali was arrested by immigration officers at the restaurant in Piccadilly Circus where he worked as a chef in April this year.
Mr Panas believes he is being deported because of an “administration fault” after Mali was told that he did not need to regularly report to an immigration centre. Mr Panas believes that because he did not complete a monthly registration his former client is being deported.
Mr Panas said: “He is big-hearted and has a big heart for social activism and helping people. I really hope someone can help me stop his deportation. There has been no chance to contest the Home Office’s decision.”
He added: “Mali came to the UK aged 10-years-old after being blown up by a hand grenade and losing both mother and father in the explosion. He was badly burnt and has 70% scaring on his torso leg and thigh. He also has reduced capacity on his left arm and hand and is deaf in the left ear.”
Mali has not returned to Mogadishu since leaving as a child and he has no family there.
The foreign and commonwealth office (FCO) advises against all travel to Somalia with terrorist attacks “very likely”
Mr Panas added: “These actions by the Home Office need to be stopped and investigated.”
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
