Persecuted pharmacist loses assylum claim

AN EGYPTIAN pharmacist who claimed his pharmacy had been attacked due to his political activism has had a bid to remain in Australia dismissed.

The pharmacist who arrived in Australia on 14 Apr 2014, made an application for a protection visa on 30 Jun 2014, reporting that his involvement with the Freedom and Justice Party, and in protest activity, had led to persecution on his livelihood.

On 09 Mar 2015 a delegate of the Minister refused the application, and the following month the pharmacist requested a review of the decision, with an initial appeal hearing in 02 Mar 2017, which was subsequently cancelled, with a second hearing held on 03 Apr 2017.

As part of his “Response to hearing invitation -MR Division” form, the pharmacist indicated that he wished the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to take oral evidence from his then house mate, who also submitted a written character reference.

On the day of the hearing the presiding Tribunal member asked to interview the pharmacist on his own, with his friend asked to leave the hearing room.

During the interview the pharmacist was asked about an attack on his shop prior to leaving Egypt, with the pharmacist struggling to provide dates, when asked, leading to the appeal being dismissed.

The pharmacist then appealed to the Federal Court of Australia, against the ruling claiming his friend was a support person who should not have been excluded from the hearing.

The Federal Court ruled that the Tribunal did not exercise its powers inappropriately, and that “the appeal must be dismissed”.