'They will kill me': Beauty queen wanting asylum is desperate not to be sent home
An Iranian beauty queen seeking asylum in the Philippines claims police have made a fake case against her.
Bahareh Zare Bahari, 31, who was Iran’s representative in the Miss Intercontinental 2018 pageant held in the Philippines capital, Manila, has been held at the airport since last Thursday, The Philippine Star reports.
Iranian authorities have charged Ms Bahari with assault and issued a red notice to Interpol.
Red notices alert police worldwide about internationally wanted fugitives. They can also request extradition.
Ms Bahari denies the allegations and claims they were made against her due to her criticism of Iran’s government and support of women’s rights.
“The Iran regime tried its best to deport me nine months ago, but I was successful,” she told the Star.
“Now, they make a fake case in Iran. The Iran Interpol reported to the Philippines, ask them to deport me to Iran.”
Ms Bahari has been studying dental medicine in the Philippines since 2014 but has been in and out of the country.
She told the London Telegraph if she’s deported back to Iran “they will kill me”.
Markk Perete, undersecretary at the Philippine department of justice, confirmed she was being held due to the red notice.
The assault allegedly occurred against an Iranian person in the Philippines, CNN reported.
Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phil Robertson said it’s “absolutely critical” Ms Bahari gets the appropriate legal counsel from the Philippines.
Mr Robertson added no action should be taken under the red notice until more details are clear.
He said red notices can also be ruled void if the person named in them is confirmed to be a refugee fleeing from the state which issued it.
Mr Perete said Ms Bahari has filed an application for asylum.
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