Asylum is granted to Iranian dissident

An Iranian man who had been living in Japan illegally and was engaged in activities opposing the government in Tehran was granted refugee status Tuesday by the Tokyo District Court.

The ruling nullified decisions made in 2002 by the justice minister to reject the man's request for asylum and by immigration authorities to deport him. The man, 38, is a member of Iran's communist party.

"The man has been actively participating in activities against the Iranian government in Japan and there is a danger of persecution if he returns to his country," said presiding Judge Toshihiko Tsuruoka. "Decisions such as not recognizing the man as a refugee are illegal."