ASF17: High Court blocks immigration detainee's bid for freedom

A bisexual Iranian man, known as ASF17, has told authorities he could face the death penalty if deported to his home country.

The High Court of Australia unanimously dismissed the ASF17 case. Source: AAP / AAP Image

The top line: The High Court has unanimously dismissed an appeal by an Iranian asylum seeker known as ASF17 to be released from immigration detention.

The bigger picture: The man came to Australia by boat in 2013 and has been in immigration detention almost the entire time.

His case attempted to build on an earlier decision against indefinite immigration detention in cases where there is no prospect of deportation. ASF17 sought to have the ruling extended to those resisting government efforts.

The key quote: "These are not people who have been found to be refugees, indeed the opposite is the case, they should not be just allowed to stay here," — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of the decision.

What else to know: Australian authorities have attempted to deport ASF17 every six months since 2018. He has resisted due to his status as a stateless Faili Kurd, a Christian, and a bisexual man. Homosexuality is punishable by death in Iran.

What happens now: ASF17 will remain in immigration detention.

Read more: 'Rather go to Gaza than Iran': High Court hears man fears certain death if deported