SA: Federal Court orders release of Woomera detainee
The Federal Court has ordered that a Palestinian man be released from the Woomera immigrationdetention centre, ruling his detention was unlawful.
But Justice RONALD MERKEL immediately granted an interim stay on the order until latertoday to give counsel for Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK time to consider the judgement.
The court, sitting in Adelaide, has been told the minister is likely to appeal againstthe ruling.
Justice MERKEL's ordered AKRAM OUDA MOHAMMAD AL MASRI be released from detention immediatelybecause he's been refused permission to return to the Gaza Strip.
AKRAM left Israel in June 2001 and after arriving by boat at Ashmore Reef was detainedat Woomera in South Australia's far north.
His application for a protection visa was rejected and after an unsuccessful appeal,AKRAM decided to return home.
However, after arranging to leave on February 18, he was told Israel had refused permissionfor him to return. Egypt, Jordan and Syria later also refused to accept him.
Justice MERKEL says the delay and uncertainty have caused AKRAM to suffer anxiety anddepression and led to self-harm requiring hospitalisation.
AAP RTV la/jas/rp
KEYWORD: WOOMERA (ADELAIDE)
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