Alfred Sahr Koineh arrived from Sierra Leone in 1994 seeking asylum in Britain. His mother, father and younger brother were burned to death in the family home. His two older brothers are missing, as are his wife and two children. He was working for the Red Cross in Sierra Leone and receiving death threats, when his co-worker was shot he knew he had to leave.

On arrival here, Alfred applied for refugee status. In 1997 Alfred was turned down due to a misunderstanding about his father's surname by the Home Office. He appealed this decision, providing a family tree to clarify the situation, which was accepted by the special adjudicator at his appeal. However, although the special adjudicator accepted the evidence and stated in his judgement that Alfred is "a . . . . credible witness, I see no reason to doubt the accuracy of his account" he judged that, on the balance of probabilities, that: "the appellant is still relatively young . . . . and that there are no compassionate circumstances to be taken into account.."

Alfred's case is now subject to an Immigration Appeal Tribunal as to whether he has further leave to appeal. If the decision is negative, Alfred will face immediate deportation and a probable fate similar to the others in his family. Even the special adjudicator stated "there could certainly be no guarantee of safety if the appellant were to fall into the hands of the rebels."

Alfred is currently funding himself through a Social Work course at Ruskin College, Oxford.

Let Alfred Stay Campaign: c/o Ruskin College Students Union, Dunstan Road, Oxford OX3 9BX