Thousands urge home office to halt removal of elderly Iranian couple from Edinburgh

Thousands of people have signed a petition in order to try and stop an Iranian couple being removed from Scotland.

Mozaffar Saberi, 83, and Rezvan Habibimarand, 73, bought a flat in Edinburgh in the late 1970s and have four children, 11 grandchildren and a great-grandchild who are all British citizens.

The couple spent time in the UK on visitor visas over the years but after visiting in November 2012 they made an application to remain on human rights grounds, which was refused by the Home Office.

A second application was also declined, and the couple are now appealing against the decision, which is due to be heard on February 25.

The couple are distressed at the prospect of being separated from their family who also live in Edinburgh.

Their son Navid Saberi said: "It is very very stressful. They are elderly and not really keeping well and on top of their health problems it is a psychological effect, not knowing what is around the corner and what is going to happen in the future.

"The prospect of leaving three generations of children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild and going back to Iran has not been easy for them.

He added: "They have got nobody in Iran. It is just beyond belief."

The couple also look after their severely autistic grandson who is non-verbal in order to help their daughter, who is a single mother and a nurse for the NHS.

Mr Saberi said his parents have a strong emotional bond with the boy and it could have a detrimental effect on him if they have to leave the country.

John Vassiliou, partner at McGill & Co which is handling the case, said: "Mr Saberi is in his 80s, his wife is in her 70s. If they go back to Iran it's difficult for British citizens to visit Iran, they can't just fly over as if they were going to Spain or France.

"They are showing lots of signs of old age physically and mentally and they just want to be with their family. If they go back to Iran they will be alone.

"They are very distressed by the whole process.

"If they go back to Iran they will be two old people living alone whereas here they are living in Edinburgh with all their family around them.

"Their family are all here and that social aspect and emotional support that they get here will disappear if they go back to Iran.''

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition on change.org calling on the Home Office to allow the couple to stay in the UK.

Ian Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh South, has voiced his support for the family.

He tweeted: "I'm working with the family & their lawyers to try & persuade the Home Secretary to do the decent thing."

A Home Office spokesman said: "All UK visa applications are considered on their individual merits, on the basis of the evidence available and in line with UK immigration rules."