Clapham chemical attacker won asylum in the UK despite being a convicted sex ... trends now
The Clapham chemical attacker won asylum in spite of his repeated dishonesty, it can be revealed today.
Abdul Ezedi, 35, failed a test on Christianity even though he claimed to be a convert.
The asylum judge who heard the sex offender's appeal to stay in the UK decided he had 'not been honest in several aspects of his account'.
In spite of those concerns, Judge William O'Hanlon allowed Ezedi's appeal on asylum and human rights grounds, saying on balance his religious conversion was genuine. His body was found in the Thames last month, ending a massive police hunt after he attacked a mother and her children with an alkali substance in January.
Court papers released to the Mail raise further questions about Ezedi's claim to have converted to Christianity – with him at one point saying in Home Office documents that the Old Testament was about Jesus Christ.
Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi is baptised at a church in Jarrow
Ezedi's head is pushed under the water as he is baptised as a Christian
Ezedi walks around Hay's Galleria on the South Bank in London
A character reference for Ezedi that was supplied as part of his asylum application
They also showed the Baptist Church, which supported his claim for asylum, requested he sign a 'safeguarding contract' preventing him from entering the church alone following his 2018 sex assault and exposure conviction.
The documents have only now been released after the Mail led a media fight to uncover the full extent of Ezedi's dodgy claims. And the BBC reported last night that Ezedi was given a Muslim funeral and burial in London at the request of his family and friends.
The released documents show that:
Ezedi sent the asylum and immigration tribunal photos of his baptism and handing out leaflets in a bid to help his claim; He was supported by a Baptist minister who attended court four times to advocate for asylum seekers; In an earlier Home Office interview Ezedi could not answer basic questions about Christianity.First Tier Tribunal Judge O'Hanlon granted Ezedi asylum on his third appeal in November 2020 on the basis he would be at risk of persecution if he was returned to Afghanistan.
The judge conceded Ezedi had been discredited on multiple occasions, but allowed the appeal on the strength of the 'most compelling evidence' from a Baptist Church minister.
The Afghan suspect secured the churches' support despite being a convicted sex attacker. Pictured: In CCTV after the attack
Ezedi hands out Christian leaflets to shoppers in Newcastle. He was twice refused permission to remain in the UK
The extraordinary pictures emerged for the first time yesterday
Reverend Roy Merrin, the now retired minister at Grange Road Baptist Church, in Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, wrote to the tribunal in support of Ezedi. He also told the panel in person in October 2020 he was aware of fraudulent asylum claims but believed Ezedi was honest.
Rev Merrin said 'Abdul has established a good relationship with the other Church members and is always willing to help'. He added: 'Abdul has been ready to share his faith in Christ with non-Christians ... I would support his application to remain] in this country.'
Ezedi was also supported by the Catholic Church in a letter sent from
