‘I MAY NEVER SEE MY FRIEND AGAIN’
by Ben Wright

South Wales Evening Post, UK
November 6, 2007 Tuesday

A Stunned city schoolboy feels "absolutely gutted" because he may
never get to see his best friend again.

Murat Memedov, aged 11, and his family face deportation to Azerbaijan
after immigration chiefs threw out their asylum appeal.

The news of the well-liked family’s removal has shocked St Thomas
locals and left Cefn Hengoed pupil Jonathan Majors deeply upset.

His gran Pat Woods, aged 68, said: "We were totally stunned when we
read the Evening Post and heard about them being deported.

"Jonathan’s completely devastated and no-one who knew the family can
believe it."

Murat, his mum Veneera Aliyeva and sister Anna, aged 13, were seized
by immigration officers in a dawn raid more than a week ago.

They unlocked the door to the family’s Ysgol Street house and told
them they would be sent thousands of miles from their adopted home.

The move has upset locals who are now begging Home Office bosses to
change their mind.

Mrs Woods, of Grafog Street, said: "Murat is a lovely little boy –
he’s always polite and friendly.

"Jonathan is absolutely gutted when he found out.

"Murat and his family should be allowed to stay – he has been to hell
and back."

The Memedov family fled Azerbaijan in 2003 after suffering more than
a decade of brutality.

Keith Ross, of Asylum Justice, said they were persecuted because of
their Christian beliefs and their Armenian background.

"It is one of the most distressing cases I have ever witnessed," added
Mr Ross. "Veneera was arrested in 2002 and accused of abusing Islam.

"She was hit and then raped twice.

"Her husband was also arrested in 2005 and the family have not seen
or heard from him since – they do not know if he is dead or alive.

Azerbaijan is safe for neither Armenians or Christians."

Campaigners have managed to delay the family’s deportation, which
was due to take place on November 1, and are hoping to take their
case to the High Court to get the decision overturned.

"It is a positive step," added Mr Ross. "However, there is still a
lot of work to do and they are by no means out of the woods yet."

In the meantime, locals in St Thomas are sending Murat and his mum
and sister messages of support.

Mrs Woods added: "Jonathan spoke with Murat the other night and he
was choked.

"He is worried for his friend and is upset he may not get to see
him again.

"I used to think asylum seekers were just over here to take our jobs
and houses, but the Memedovs should be allowed to stay.

"If their son is anything to go by, they are a marvellous family."