Iranian refugee could cost taxpayers millions to detain

An Iranian refugee could cost Australian taxpayers millions to detain after his country refused to take him back.

Behzad Bashiri arrived by boat in 2011, before allegedly threatening to bomb the country, intimidate citizens and strike police with a vehicle, The Herald Sun reports.

But despite Victoria Police appealing to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to have him deported, he cannot be repatriated without his consent.

Iranian refugee Behzad Bashiri (pictured) could cost Australian taxpayers millions to keep detained after his country refused to accept him back

Last month Bashiri was reportedly arrested as an ‘unlawful non-citizen’ but cannot be removed from the country unless he volunteers to return to Iran.

Iranian foreign affairs minister Mohammad Javad Zrif said during a visit last year that citizens would not be accepted against their will, News Corp reports.

In the meantime, Bashiri is said to currently be held in a secure site in New South Wales, with the potential to be transferred to a facility such as Villawood or North West Point in the long term.

The cost of housing him in such a space could be around $110,000 a year, with Senior Detective Scott Sheedy telling a Sunshine Magistrate’s court that police had ‘grave fears for the safety of the public’ should he be released.

Bashiri has allegedly threatened to bomb the Australia, intimidate citizens and strike police with a vehicle, with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) wanting to deport him but unable to as Iran will not repatriate citizens against their will

Bashiri has allegedly threatened to bomb the Australia, intimidate citizens and strike police with a vehicle, with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) wanting to deport him but unable to as Iran will not repatriate citizens against their will

Bashiri is also accused of offences including labelling Australians terrorists, harassing and intimidating police, as well as threatening to murder an officer's wife and daughter (stock image)

Bashiri is also accused of offences including labelling Australians terrorists, harassing and intimidating police, as well as threatening to murder an officer’s wife and daughter (stock image)

Bashiri is accused of offences including labelling Australians terrorists, harassing and intimidating police, as well as threatening to murder an officer’s wife and daughter.

‘The applicant has indicated a hatred of Australia and contempt for government officials,’ Senior-Detective Sheedy told the court.

‘The applicant has known mental health issues and has indicated wanting to run over police with a truck, which is gravely concerning given the recent attacks overseas.’ 

Senior-Detective Sheedy added that he had a history of ‘stalking police’ and that his actions were ‘of huge concern’.   

Bashiri is said to currently be held in a secure site in New South Wales, with the potential to be transferred to a facility such as Villawood (pictured) or North West Point in the long term

Bashiri is said to currently be held in a secure site in New South Wales, with the potential to be transferred to a facility such as Villawood (pictured) or North West Point in the long term

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk