08-08-2025
Eritrean asylum seeker who 'threatened to torture wife and children' says he should be allowed to stay 'secure and safe in UK'
An asylum seeker who reportedly threatened to torture his wife and two young children is fighting to stay in the UK.
Eritrean national Andemariam Zeselase, 37, is alleged to have terrorised his family between September 2020 to December 2023, and the police want him to return to face justice said Darren Watts, for the Norwegian authorities.
He is resisting extradition from his taxpayer-funded accommodation because he wants to stay 'secure and safe in the UK', a court heard.
Mr Watts described the alleged offences as 'unpleasant, coercive, and controlling.'
But his lawyer Frank Brazell said Zeselase would prefer not to face a Norwiegan court.
Zeselase appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing a grey prison tracksuit.
Assisted by an Eritrean interpreter, he spoke only to confirm his personal details.
Mr Brazell said: 'Mr Zeselase is currently seeking asylum. He has been living in Home Office accommodation since he arrived in the UK from Norway two years ago.
'He spent two years in Norway with his family as an asylum seeker there, but his visa ran out after his marriage ended, so he came to the UK.
'He has no community ties here and has huge difficulty communicating with people who speak English.'
Zeselase was served an accusation warrant by the Norwegian authorities, and was arrested on July 2 this year.
He previously denied the charge of 'threats, assault and maltreatment of his wife and children.'
District Judge Brianne Clarke remanded Zeselase in custody.
Denying him bail, she told him: 'I am not prepared to take the risks in these circumstances, especially as your ties are limited.
Zeselase will next appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court at a date to be fixed next week.
He may be released on bail back into his taxpayer-funded Home Office accommodation from prison next week.
He is living in taxpayer funded, Home Office accommodation, in Telford.
