Peter Qasim was the longest-serving detainee in Australian immigration detention, having been detained there for over seven years.
11 Facts About Peter Qasim
1.
2.
Peter Qasim had not been deported because he was stateless.
3.
Peter Qasim was detained at Baxter Immigration Reception and Processing Centre before being transferred to an Adelaide psychiatric facility.
4.
Peter Qasim had applied to over 80 countries for asylum, but had not been accepted.
5.
In personal accounts Peter Qasim described escaping from his home village of Gopalla in India, into Pakistan, then through Singapore and Papua New Guinea onto Australia.
6.
Peter Qasim's provenance proved difficult to verify due to a lack of supporting documentation or witnesses.
7.
Peter Qasim was invited to apply for a new visa on 20 June 2005.
8.
In 2005, Peter Qasim was 31 years old, and was held at Baxter Detention Centre until, on 9 June 2005, he was moved to a psychiatric hospital.
9.
On 16 July 2005 Peter Qasim was granted a bridging visa by the Australian government.
10.
Peter Qasim spent a total of six years and 10 months in detention.
11.
Peter Qasim is still holding a bridging visa as of September 2013.