Fugitive Somali stops running

Abdikarin Ali Haji hands himself in yesterday. Picture / Kenny Rodger

With a smile, Abdikarin Ali Haji waved goodbye and thanked everyone in New Zealand for "the best seven years".

But moments later, as he stood in Auckland Central police station, the smile was gone and he broke down in tears as he gave his name to officers.

The 29-year-old Somali has been on the run since fleeing barefoot from prison staff at Wellington Airport as he was being moved from Christchurch to Rimutaka Prison last Friday.

Yesterday he handed himself in because he said he could not live a life on the run.

"I love New Zealand and its people and want to stay. I will be killed if I go back, but I want to face justice here and if they say I have to go back, I will go."

Mr Haji has been trying to avoid deportation since 2003. In November that year, his distraught image was captured on television as, flanked by police at Auckland International Airport, he screamed in anguish.

He was granted a temporary reprieve, hours before he was due to board the plane, with a High Court ruling that he should not be deported until a United Nations report on the removal of people to Somalia.

America, Britain and Australia all have policies not to force people back to Somalia because it is in a state of anarchy.

After several months in jail, Mr Haji was given a year-long permit to stay in November 2004. However, an application to renew that permit in February this year was rejected. The Immigration Department said he had broken the law - in the process breaking the terms of his permit.

His crimes include two traffic offences, possession of a knife (a meat-boning knife for his job, according to Mr Haji), and resisting arrest.

Neville Kay, from the Reunity Trust refugee support group, said the offences were all minor and were the result of seven years of stress.

If Mr Haji was deported, his case could set a dangerous international precedent.

"The punishment does not fit the crime. It is unfortunate that he has made mistakes, but he has always worked here and has a contribution to make."

After escaping from prison staff through a toilet window, Mr Haji made his way to Auckland with the help of several "Kiwi friends and strangers".

Yesterday he said he just wanted to live a good life.

The Ombudsman has halted the immigration process while he considers the case.