AN elderly Iranian couple who raised their family in Scotland were said to be “over the moon” yesterday after the Home Office gave them leave to remain here.
Mozaffar Saberi, 83, and his wife Rezvan Habibimarand, 73, whose four children, 11 grandchildren and great-grandchild are all British citizens, were refused leave to remain in the UK on human rights grounds.
However, their case was raised in Westminster and an online petition was signed by more than 127,000 people. Their grandson, Edinburgh Rugby star Damien Hoyland, also challenged the Home Office ruling.
READ MORE: Lawyer: Eye-watering visa fees are a 'money-making scheme'
The couple’s lawyer, John Vassiliou, yesterday told The National: “The family are over the moon, really happy.
“I think it’ll take a while to digest but it will hammer home once they get the physical visas in their hands, but that’s going to be a few weeks yet. It’s a big relief.”
Saberi and Habibimarand bought a flat in Edinburgh in the 1970s and spent time in the UK on visitor visas over the years. In 2012, they made an application to remain on human rights grounds which the Home Office refused, along with a second application which was the subject of an appeal.
Vassiliou had previously spoken of their distress at the prospect of being separated from their family, including a severely autistic, non-verbal grandson they look after to allow his mother – an NHS nurse – to continue working.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Following a review of the case, during which supplementary evidence was provided and considered, Mr Saberi and Mrs Habibimarand have been granted 30 months’ leave to remain.”
The couple’s son, Navid Saberi, wrote on Facebook: “You did it folks, you did it, thank you does not sound/feel enough but thank you. My parents will not be deported, just received the confirmation.
“Thank you for all your efforts, likes, shares and signatures.
“I should thank John Vassiliou, our solicitor, and his team who stuck with us in the last six years and never gave up hope and kept us motivated.”
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