Iraqi ‘refugee’ ‘who smuggled 3,000 migrants into UK as part of massive people-trafficking ring’
Basak Ahmed Sleman, 33, helped sneak up to 3,000 asylum seekers to UK
Illegally smuggled 20 people a day into UK five days a week since May 2015
He is fighting extradition to Belgium and has been given leave to stay here
Has pledged to use human rights legislation to prevent being sent back
By IAN DRURY HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DAILY MAIL
9 January 2016
An Iraqi refugee helped sneak up to 3,000 asylum seekers into Britain as part of a massive people-smuggling ring, a court was told yesterday.
Basak Ahmed Sleman, 33, abused his permission to stay in the country by illegally smuggling 20 people a day into the UK five days a week since May 2015, it is alleged.
He is fighting extradition to Belgium, having been accused of being a linchpin in a gang running a major human-trafficking operation bringing entire families into Britain from the continent stowed away in lorries.
Sleman, who has lived in the UK for 15 years, has pledged to use human rights legislation to fight extradition to Belgium, where he would stand trial and faces prison if convicted.
He argues that sending him to stand trial across the Channel would breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights which safeguards privacy and family life.
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