[ad_1]
SYDNEY: A Malaysian detained awaiting deportation from Australia died in an immigration detention center here, and a fellow prisoner claimed he was desperate about his plight.
According to a report by the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the death here last week came amid delays in Australia’s deportation system due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Muhammad Hafizuddin Zaini, 29, had been in immigration detention for five months after being caught for smoking a joint, leading authorities to discover that he had exceeded his visa for a few years.
He was detained in Adelaide and later transferred to the Villawood Immigration Detention Center in Sydney.
The report said that Hafizuddin hoped to return home to his family in a short period of time.
“He always told me: ‘I wonder if they are going to send me (home),’” said a fellow detainee. also awaiting deportation, he told AAP.
He added that on the morning of December 12, Hafizuddin and his detained friend were smoking in their room.
They spoke of the lack of a departure date and the absence of communication from the authorities. The friend then returned to his own room.
Later, Hafizuddin’s room was found locked and a guard was called in to open it. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead at Liverpool Hospital, the report added.
The Australian Border Force confirmed the death a day later. “The matter has been referred for investigation to the appropriate agencies, including the NSW Coroner,” a spokesman said.
Hafizuddin’s friend, whom AAP chose not to name, was deeply saddened by the death.
“He was a very, very good guy. He is very quiet. Doing his own thing, “he told the agency.
AAP reported that the couple often talked about what they hoped to do with their lives once they returned home.
According to the report, the friend had tried to stay optimistic, as he noticed that Hafizuddin was falling deeper into despair.
The report quoted the friend as saying that in his final weeks, Hafizuddin had skipped meals and slept all day.
Hafizuddin was arrested for the first time about five months ago when a neighbor next to his Adelaide residence called police after seeing him smoke marijuana.
A background check revealed that he had exceeded his visa for a few years, AAP said.
The Border Force said the global pandemic had affected Australia’s deportation system and said that “a significant reduction in the availability of commercial flights has affected its ability to carry out escorted deportations of high-risk individuals.”
However, some deportations have been carried out despite the restrictions.
