A failed asylum seeker who raped a 14-year-old schoolgirl says he can’t be deported back to Egypt – because he is bisexual and he would be persecuted in his home country.
Karam Majdi, 27, is going to be deported after serving half of his seven-year sentence for the sex attack on the girl he met online in 2017.
Majdi is alleged to have lied and said he was an unaccompanied child from Syria who had been fighting in Aleppo when he arrived in the UK by small boat in 2016. He claimed his family had paid for his passage to Britain and paid for his solicitor during his asylum claim.
But the Home Office rejected his application for asylum after disputing his claims to be from Syria.
Following a language assessment, immigration authorities said they believe Majdi lied about being from Syria when he arrived in the UK.
He had been living in a hostel in Hove when he travelled to East Croydon and raped the girl in what the judge described as an ‘opportunistic’ and ‘vile’ attack that left the victim’s thighs black and blue. He pinned her down, despite her protestations, the court heard.
Majdi, who claims his identity documents were lost at sea on his way to Britain, was sent to a youth offender’s institution before his release in 2021.
In his latest bid to fight deportation and remain in the UK, Majdi told the authorities he is bisexual.
Karam Majdi, 27, raped a 14-year-old schoolgirl but says he can’t be deported back to Egypt because he is bisexual and he would be persecuted in his home country
This was initially considered by the Government – before it was reviewed and challenged by the Home Office on Wednesday.
At a deportation tribunal on Thursday it was heard that he was deemed ‘high risk to children’ during his imprisonment.
Majdi refused to use an interpreter requested by his solicitor and instead opted to defend himself under cross examination at Field House in central London.
George Mavrantonis, for the Home Office, said: ‘Since 2021 he claimed to be bisexual. It is an embellishment, a fabrication for the asylum claim.
‘In a report from 2019 the appellant reported to not currently be in a relationship, having dated girls that he has met on social media.
‘There is only evidence towards his attraction to girls and none towards men. The sexuality claim must feign under the circumstances.’
A previous review of Majdi’s sexuality was described by the Home Office as ‘unhelpful’ because it ‘sat on the fence’ – and led to the Government to accept the view that he is bisexual.
The Home Office admitted this was a mistake based on a professional opinion, and today the judge allowed the Secretary of State to withdraw its concession.
Majdi ‘refused to be open’ publicly about his sexuality and claimed to have had relationships with two men the tribunal was told.
But he was unable to provide any evidence these men were real and instead claimed any photos or texts were lost after he misplaced his iPhone SIM card.
He told the court: ‘Since we broke up we do not speak. I’ve nothing else to say because we have no contact.’
During the hearing it emerged Majdi had been convicted of further offences since his release from prison.
In April he was convicted and fined of cocaine possession, driving without a licence and insurance.
In June next year he is due to appear in court after allegedly being found in possession of ‘a personal quantity of cannabis’.
As part of his evidence, Majdi continued to insist he is Syrian.
He told the tribunal his Syrian identity document was obtained from a man he met at a mosque in Northampton.
However, Mr Mavrantonis questioned the authenticity of the document and said that even if it were genuine and Majdi was born in Syria, the country is no longer under the control of Islamic State or former President Bashar al-Assad and is therefore no longer a threat to returning citizens.
Majdi was initially given anonymity in the reporting of his appeal on the grounds that he is claiming asylum – but the direction was thrown out after it was challenged by Mr Mavrantonis.
The barrister argued that reporting his name was in the public interest and crucial under the principle of open justice. He also pointed out that previous news articles had named the migrant and his criminal background.
The judge withdrew the order, allowing Majdi’s further offences and appeal to come to light.
Majdi had been living in a hostel in Hove when he travelled to East Croydon and raped the girl in what the judge described as an ‘opportunistic’ and ‘vile’ attack that left the victim’s thighs black and blue
Majdi raped one girl and admitted having sex with another during a five-day trial at Brighton Law Court (pictured)
Judge R M Abdar will rule on whether he accepts Majdi’s claims of his sexuality and nationality in a judgement by next month.
During Majdi’s rape trial it was heard he used the name Mano Love online to lure two underage girls into meeting him.
Her Honour Judge Shani Barnes said his internet activity caused huge concern.
He raped one and admitted having sex with another during a five-day trial at Brighton. He will remain on the sex offender’s register for life.
