FM, a 20-year-old man, first came to the UK by small boat in 2022, the day after his 16th birthday. He sought asylum claiming his father in Iran was extremely abusive, beating him daily and forcing him to work long, unpaid hours. His claim for protection was initially refused in June 2023, but the Home Office granted him a limited period of discretionary leave due to his age.
FM's initial appeal was rejected by the First-tier Tribunal, but he appealed against that ruling. FM took part in anti-regime protests in Newcastle and featured in a video on an Iranian dissident's Instagram account with 54,000 followers. An Upper Tribunal Judge decided the case needs to be reheard due to significant developments in Iran and in FM's life.
In the summer of 2024 he had been dispersed to Gateshead and was feeling depressed.
FM moved to Gateshead in the summer of 2024 and was feeling depressed. Gateshead was ranked as the 53rd most deprived of the 296 local authorities in England by the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. After his move, FM had contact with his family, who said his little brother had been in an accident and was in a coma.
A friend suggested FM attend a Christian church to help his depression, and he attributed his brother's subsequent recovery to his prayers. FM attended Farsi prayer sessions and has since been baptized. An expert witness at the court said he believes FM to be genuine and heartfelt and not trying to fake a conversion to help with his claim for protection.
Upper Tribunal Judge Gaenor Bruce said FM provided perfectly good reasons for his conversion to Christianity and noted the camaraderie within his community. FM required a Farsi interpreter at the hearing in the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber.