KEY POINTS:
Seven people protesting in support of an asylum seeker after an incident at Mt Eden Remand Prison yesterday have been released.
Five were arrested yesterday afternoon after chaining themselves to the flagpole and lights at the prison, while another two who were warned to stay away from the prison grounds were also arrested.
The seven were members of the group Global Peace and Justice Auckland and were protesting in support of Iranian asylum seeker Ali Panah, who is now into the 52nd day of a hunger strike.
Senior Sergeant Cam Moore of Auckland Police said the men were arrested yesterday afternoon but had been released from custody yesterday evening.
He said all seven would appear in court some time within the next week.
"People have the right to protest in a democratic society but it has to be lawful and peaceful," he said.
"Unfortunately, they weren't being lawful."
The protesters had refused to sign bail papers and refused food in solidarity with Mr Panah while at the Auckland Central police cells but Mr Moore said this morning that they had been released.
Mr Panah is starving himself in protest over a government decision to deport him to Iran. He has been detained in Mt Eden prison but has weakened in recent days and is now being treated in Auckland Hospital.
Global Peace and Justice spokesman John Minto said he understood Mr Panah was "very weak but strong in spirit" in his Auckland Hospital bed.
He has been has been accepting liquid mineral supplements on the advice of his doctors but is refusing solid food.
Mr Panah has refused to sign deportation orders, saying he would face death if he was returned to Iran. His supporters say he converted to Christianity when in South Korea and sent a video of his baptism to his mother.
They say the video was apparently intercepted by Iranian customs officials and referred to the authorities. In his absence, he was sentenced to death.
They want the government to issue a temporary visa until it is safe for him to return to Iran.
His supporters include Anglican Archbishop David Moxon and The Rev Dr Anthony Dancer, the Anglican Church's social justice commissioner. Both have previously asked for mercy for Mr Panah.
Mr Panah has had a refugee appeal authority hearing but was not granted refugee status.
Mr Minto said Mr Panah's case had few differences to that of Thomas Yadegary, a Catholic convert who was freed on bail in April after being held in prison without charge since November 2004.
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said last month said Panah had had his full rights under the law over his claim for refugee status.
- NZPA
