In a remarkable legal twist, an asylum seeker has won his immigration appeal after dramatically changing his claimed nationality from Iranian to Afghan midway through the proceedings.
The case, which has raised eyebrows among legal experts, saw the individual successfully challenge a deportation order by altering his national identity halfway through the process.
According to tribunal documents, the man initially entered the UK asylum system claiming to be Iranian. However, during the course of his immigration appeal, he changed his story, asserting he was actually Afghan.
This unprecedented move proved successful, with judges ruling in his favour and allowing his appeal against deportation.
The decision has sparked debate among immigration lawyers and policymakers about the integrity of the asylum process. Some experts argue the case highlights potential loopholes in the system, while others maintain it demonstrates the flexibility needed in complex immigration cases.
Legal analysts note that such mid-case nationality changes are extremely rare and that this successful appeal could set an interesting precedent for future immigration cases.
The Home Office has declined to comment on whether they will challenge the tribunal's decision, leaving open the possibility of further legal proceedings in this unusual case.
