Four asylum-seekers jailed for steering boats crossing the Channel have their convictions overturned

The Court of Appeal have overturned the convictions of four asylum-seekers who were imprisoned for steering small boats across the English Channel.

The Court deemed that Kent Crown Court made significant mistakes. They duly cancelled the convictions of the four asylum-seekers.

The intention of the men was to claim asylum in Britain and did not wish to do so without detection.

Samyar Ahmadii Bani, Al Anzi Mohamoud, Fariboz Taher Rakei and Ghodrattallah Donyamali Zadeh will now walk free rather than spend time behind bars.

Zoe Gardner, from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said: “This decision makes it clear that our government imprisoned four vulnerable people, simply because they sought asylum here. Their attempt to criminalise the act of seeking safety is a travesty.

“These men were victims of a system that leaves people with no other option than dangerous journeys here. Our government could prevent people risking their lives like this by providing safe passage — instead they have tried to turn us against people seeking protection.”

One of the asylum-seekers, Mr Zadeh, he was incorrectly advised to plead guilty on the grounds that he didn't have a legal defence.

Kate O’Raghallaigh, Mr Zadeh's legal representative, said he was deprived of a fair opportunity to plead.