A Scot claims he is stuck “in limbo” in a grim Spanish detention centre due to red tape.
James Farquhar, 42, was detained by immigration cops after he outstayed the nine month maximum period he could stay in Benidorm, meaning he could be deported. But James, from Glasgow, has told how his passport had expired, which meant he was taken to the Centro de Internamiento de Extranjeros de Valencia (CIE) – along with scores of other undocumented illegal immigrants.
His situation has been complicated by his alleged involvement in a pub disturbance a year ago, where a man’s finger was bitten. He claims he is innocent of that.
View 4 ImagesThe grim conditions
James said: “I feel that I’m stuck indefinitely, in a state of limbo, in a cell with five other men and with no updates on how long I’ll be in here. I’ve been stuck here for more than two weeks awaiting deportation to the United Kingdom and I’ve been given no updates on how long I could be here.
“I admit that some of this is my own fault, as I allowed my passport to run out and I am over my permitted time in Spain. But the way I’m being treated is totally disproportionate.”
James has stayed in Spain for more than ten years, recently offering graphic design work to bars and restaurants. He said he voluntarily surrendered to police in Benidorm, who’d knocked on the door of his parents, who also live in Benidorm.
View 4 ImagesThe food
He said: “I was informed that if I waived my right to appeal, my removal to the UK would be processed more quickly. I agreed to do so and formally waived those rights. Despite this, I remain in detention with no clear timeframe for my removal and very limited information about my case.
“The British Consulate has informed me that my deportation is currently awaiting a judicial decision due to an outstanding criminal allegation in Benidorm. I deny the allegation and maintain that it is a case of mistaken identity. I have not been convicted of any offence in Spain.
“But I am also aware that cases of assault could take three or four years to get to court, so I have no idea what might happen to me.”
View 4 ImagesCentro de Internamiento de Extranjeros de Valenci
James has been offered no assigned legal aid lawyer and he is the only English speaker in a unit housing up to 120 detainees.
He said: “This is a scary place. There is lurking violence between Algerian and Moroccan prisoners and frequent lockdowns. The conditions aren’t great and neither is the food. But I am terrified I get stuck in here and forgotten about by authorities, who seem to put very little priority on my situation.”
James’s long-term partner is a resident in Spain. His own application to gain residence has been thwarted by the assault allegation that is awaiting a decision by a Spanish judge.
An FCDO spokesperson said:“We are supporting a British national detained in Spain and in contact with the local authorities”.
The Record has contacted the Spanish Guardia Civil for comment.
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