UN gravely concerned at Zambia’s refusal of asylum for Zimbabwe’s Biti

FILE – In this July, 18, 2012 file photo Tendai Biti, stands outside the Parliament Building in Harare, Zimbabwe. (Tsvangirayi Mukwazh, File/Associated Press)

The U.N. refugee agency is gravely concerned by reports that a senior Zimbabwean politician was refused asylum in Zambia and sent back to his own country, which would be a serious violation of international law, it said in a statement on Thursday.

“It is reported that the authorities handed him over to his country of origin today despite a court order to the contrary,” the UNHCR said.

Zimbabwean police took former finance minister and opposition leader Tendai Biti into custody on Thursday after Zambian authorities rejected his bid for asylum and deported him, his lawyers said.