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| Detained Iranian bicyclist given asylum |
| 2003-03-12 |
| An Iranian bicyclist arrested when he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border during an international ride for peace was released by immigration authorities Monday after being granted asylum. Reza Baluchi, who fled Iran in 1996 on his bicycle, was detained November 10 when he crossed the border illegally. Since then, he's been held at the Immigration and Naturalization Service detention center in Florence, 50 miles southeast of Phoenix. The 30-year-old wanderer contends he was in Mexico waiting for a visa and got lost while riding near the border. He convinced an immigration judge in February that he would be persecuted for his political views if deported to his native Iran. Baluchi remained in custody while the INS decided whether to appeal. INS spokesman Russell Ahr said last week the INS would not pursue the case. And should they? I don't think so. Read on... Baluchi's attorney, Suzannah Maclay, said he was arrested at least three times in Iran for his so-called pro-Western activities. She said he served a year and a half in jail for associating with "counterrevolutionaries" and was hung from a tree by handcuffs for carrying a prohibited movie. Maclay said Baluchi was also publicly flogged for eating a sandwich during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. I like this guy. He doesn't sound very bright, but I like him... Baluchi now plans to complete the last stage of what he says has been a 46,000-mile trek. He has pedaled over six continents and at least 54 countries, clutching newspaper clippings and photographs that document his voyage while pushing for peace, according to his Web site and his attorney. His final destination is Ground Zero in New York. "He wants to become a citizen. He wants to win (an Olympic) medal for the U.S.," Maclay said. I hope he does. Welcome home, Reza. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |