My Story
I am Mohamed Hannibal Albendago, a Libyan national. I came to the UK in 2006, as my father was in trouble with the Gaddafi regime, and I have been seeking asylum since then. The Home Office took five years to process my initial application for asylum, waiting until Gaddafi fell before refusing me since they had decided that Libya was now a safe country. Since then I have been destitute and homeless and I have also, of course, been forbidden to work. I’m seeking asylum full-time. Poor service from Legal Aid solicitors
In 2013 I put in a fresh claim for asylum, based on the deteriorating situation in Libya. My legal aid solicitor made several errors in the asylum application, and failed to research the conditions in Libya. When the claim was refused, my lawyer failed to notify me, and failed to submit an appeal before the deadline. This meant that I effectively had no right of appeal. My application for housing and Section 4 support was also rejected, so I continued to be destitute. My complaints against the solicitors were later upheld by the Legal Ombudsman – but that didn’t help my asylum case or end my destitution. Forbidden from marrying
Life goes on, even for someone seeking asylum full-time. In 2013 I met my fiancée, Jennifer. She’s from Denmark, and was in the UK to study English. We were due to get married in November 2014. Her family had come over for the wedding. But nothing is straightforward for someone seeking asylum. On the big day, immigration officials came to the registry office and stopped the wedding, accusing us of a ‘sham marriage’. They didn’t provide any evidence. They put me in Cheadle Heath police station for the night, while Jennifer was banned from entering the UK for a year. I of course, being someone categorised as an ‘asylum seeker’, cannot travel anywhere, so in effect we were forcibly separated. We wanted to challenge the sham marriage accusation and the ban, but we didn’t have the money to pay for the lawyers. However, love conquers all: despite everything, we continued our relationship, and since her ban expired, Jennifer has been back to the UK several times. We are now expecting a baby boy very soon, and still plan to marry. In due course, we hope to legally contest the sham marriage accusation. My conversion to Christianity
Although my status in the UK isn’t recognised by the Home Office, I play an active role in British life in Manchester. Given my destitution, I have been dependent on support from church groups, who have inspired me to take up Christianity. I am now an active member of Coverdale Baptist Church, attending services and volunteering with church events throughout the week. I offer advice and support to other homeless people in the church, and I’ve also volunteered at the homeless camp in Manchester. My latest asylum claim
On 12th August 2016 I submitted another fresh claim for asylum, which is based on the risks facing a Christian convert in the chaos that is Libya today. I’m tired of seeking asylum full-time: I want the stability and certainty to move forward with my life, to become a full-time dad and husband, to find a job, and to continue contributing in new ways to British life. Will you help my campaign? |
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