THE Olympian detained in Dungavel has been released – but ordered to check himself in to a flight back to the country where he says death awaits him.
The Sunday National revealed how Zacharie Cyriaque Ayard-Nzapajima, who ran at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and was also a Paralympic squad coach, fled the Central African Republic (CAR) following a disorderly protest linked to a labour dispute.
He says he was beaten by authorities and his asylum claim includes death threats, images of murdered family members and medical certificates confirming the rapes of others.
Friends in Glasgow, including members of the congregation at St Andrews Cathedral, called for his release after he was kept in Scotland’s only immigration removal centre despite being assessed as vulnerable due to his fragile mental health.
More than 2300 people signed a change.org petition calling for his freedom.
Now The National can reveal that the 46-year-old is out – but has been told to check himself in at the airport for a deportation flight to CAR.
Lawyers have advised him not to take the Wednesday flight after lodging a petition to the Court of Session in Edinburgh challenging the Home Office’s handling of his case.
This includes the refusal of asylum and cancels the removal. But while Mcglashan MacKay Solicitors have given written notice to the UK Government, no response has been received.
Yesterday, Ayard-Nzapajima said: “Since I’ve been released from Dungavel, I can’t sleep for thinking about my situation. I’m not a robber, I’m not a thief, I haven’t murdered anyone.
“I can’t go back to my country, because they will kill me. There is nowhere to go.”
Lawyer Usman Aslam said: “The Home Office were aware when Zacharie was detained that we were going to challenge his case. What was the point in using public funds to organise a flight for him? “
The Home Office did not respond to The National’s request for a comment.
Sign the petition at: bit.ly/ZacharieCAN.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here