Suel Hussein Kassembo came to Norway in 2004 and has lived here ever since. He has always claimed that he is from Burundi and that his life was in danger because of his father’s political involvement. If the Norwegian authorities had believed in him when he arrived, he would probably have been granted a stay. Recently, the Immigration Service (UNE) tried to send him out of the country. Then he responded by taking them to court. – I am afraid for my own life. I am afraid of the same people who killed my own father, he said when he explained himself in the Oslo district court on Thursday. Kassembo claims that both his parents and sisters were killed one day when he was at school. By hiding on a boat, he managed to get to Europe. Suel Kassembo in conversation with solicitor Malene Valkwæ Jenssen in the Oslo district court. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news Has decided that he will return to Burundi After 19 years in Norway, Kassembo presented new documentation on his origins this summer. Shortly afterwards, he had the police at his door with the message that he was now leaving the country. UNE still believes that the documents are not reliable enough to establish that he is from Burundi. Nevertheless, the authorities want to send him back to the same African country. With the help of a decision from the Oslo district court, the envoy was stopped at the last minute. The lawyer for the Immigration Board, Christine Bjornes, stated on Thursday that they still believe it was right to deny Kassembo asylum – and to send him out of the country. On Thursday, she asked Kassembo if he had concretely attempted to leave the country. – UNE says that you will not get asylum and that you must leave. Then you are expected to do something to travel out. Have you made any attempt at it? – No, he replied. – I don’t know anyone and have no relatives in Burundi, he replied. The Immigration Board’s representatives in court: former lawyer Christine Bjornes and adviser Anastasia Valland. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news Supporting players turned up Suel Kassembo has work and many friends in Sunnmøre after living in the area for years. Over 10,000 people have signed the petition for him to stay in Norway. Former employer Nils-Roar Hareide at Runde miljøsenter testified in the trial on Thursday. He was very critical of the fact that the authorities have still not been able to document that Kassembo is from Burundi. – One has to question whether the police and the governing authorities have tried to find out anything serious about the case. It is simply lousy work, he stated. Several of his supporting players have appeared in the court case. Recently, they have organized a support concert, torchlight procession and fundraising. – Everything I have done and everything I have said is true, Suel Kassembo said in court on Thursday. The court case this week will determine the future for the African.
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Suel has fought for 19 years to stay in Norway – now he can still be thrown out
