Refugee escapes from PNG to Fiji

FIJI – A young refugee detained on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island by Australia has escaped to Fiji where he is now seeking asylum.

Loghman Sawari fled persecution in Iran to Australia at the age of 17 but was imprisoned on Manus even though he was a minor.

He tried to settle in PNG, but out of fear for his safety he fled to Fiji.

Now aged 21, Loghman Sawari said he had been in Fiji for a week and had been taken in by a family.

“I like Fiji people because they smile and they respect,” said Sawari.

“I don’t know much about Fiji. I don’t know what the government will be saying about me,” he said.

“I want to say to immigration tomorrow if I meet them, I want a small country, a safe country, that’s all I need. I don’t want a rich country, or United States or another country. I need just a simple life for myself.”

Loghman Sawari said he had a Fijian lawyer who would help him to apply for asylum. - AFP