Iranian Refutes Immigration Claims

By Bryan Kay and Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporters

An Iranian kicked out of Korea late last month for an alleged visa violation has denied he broke the law, claiming there is more to his deportation than meets the eye.

Peter Talebi, the name by which he was known locally, was caught as he was about to conduct an English lesson with a Korean woman against the terms of his student visa.

But in an interview with The Korea Times from Kish Island, Iran, the 30-year-old Seoul Theological University student ― who has a history of immigration violations ― claims he was lured into a trap by the authorities and forced to sign a document to expedite his removal from the country.

In another twist, however, immigration officer Lee Sung-yong said Tuesday that the authorities had been trying for some time to track down Talebi over other immigration violations ― which were unrelated to the English teaching ― and used the sting to lure him to the cafe. It is understood he had been accused of using a forged passport, and it was on that charge that he was deported.

Last week, it was reported how Talebi ― whose real name is not being disclosed due to fears he has expressed about his safety in his homeland ― was deported not long after he had been involved in a high-profile demonstration at a recent World Cup qualifier between South Korea and Iran against the vote rigging allegations surrounding the Middle Eastern nation's presidential elections.

The Korean Immigration Service said last week they had been tipped off that Talebi was violating the terms of his visa and had caught him about to give an illegal English lesson at a coffee shop in Itaewon.

Talebi said the incident unfolded when he received a suspicious phone call from a woman inquiring about English lessons. Despite his concerns, he said he told the woman he was not a native English speaker, but that he would be willing to teach her as part of a language exchange ― insisting, he added, that there would be no cash involved because he was not allowed to teach privately.

Talebi, who admitted his Korean is of a high standard, said he was only six months away from being eligible to apply for Korean citizenship through naturalization, but, when asked if he thought his claimed eligibility had anything to do with his deportation, he refused to comment.

He explained that although he was suspicious of the circumstances surrounding his removal, he was seeking legal advice and was not prepared to divulge any details.

Talebi said he was keen to become Korean, adding, ``Why would I want to leave Korea? I miss Korea. My future is Korea. I was trying to be Korean very soon. If there were a war with North Korea, I'd pick up a gun and fight for (South) Korea."

He further claimed that after he was picked up by authorities, he was forced to choose between completing the thesis for his bachelor's degree in theology in an immigration lock-up, or outside the country ― which was when he said he was forced to sign a document expediting his deportation. An arrangement was later reached with his university so that he could e-mail the work to his professors.

He also said he was refused legal representation, and was not offered the opportunity to go to his house prior to deportation to collect his belongings ― a contention his friends said last week amounted to discrimination because nationals from countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, caught in similar circumstances, have been allowed to do so.

Investigator Lee refuted those allegations, saying Talebi would have been allowed like other nationals to pick up his belongings if he had asked. Last week, it had been suggested Talebi had been offered the chance, but refused.

When asked if he thought the protest at World Cup Stadium had anything to do with his deportation, Talebi answered that the immigration officers ``mentioned it.''

He said he had expressed fears about returning to his homeland, but that they had simply handed him a number for the United Nations that he was unable to reach after several attempts. ``They (immigration) wanted rid of me,'' he added.

But Lee hit back, saying he had not been aware of Talebi's involvement in the protest, and would have helped him avoid prosecution in Iran if he had.

Lee also said he does not recall the U.N. number being given. For his part, Talebi admitted that so far he has not encountered any problems in Iran.

Investigator Lee said last week he suspected Talebi would try to re-enter Korea in the near future. Talebi insisted he had been blacklisted for five years due to the latest incident and would seek to return by fighting through legal channels.

``I feel guilty," Talebi said in reference to the attention the case has attracted. ``I don't want to be an embarrassment to the Iranian community, the foreigner community, everyone.''

The immigration service last week listed a string of immigration violations Talebi is said to have committed since first entering Korea in 2001.

They include teaching English illegally, a return here in 2005 with documents showing a different family name and date of birth.

Talebi, however, said the name change was made after his parents divorced and his mother re-married. He said the date of birth change was due to an error by the Iranian authorities, according to the immigration service. His punishments have included a fine and a three-year ban from the country.

bk@koreatimes.co.kr
leeth@koreatimes.co.kr