Azernews.Az

Iran pursues repression against Iranian refugees in Australia Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Ghashghavi said, Shargh daily reported.

"Iran is against mandatory deportation of its citizens," Ghashghavi said.

Iran's Foreign Ministry will cooperate with other countries including Australia linked to voluntary return of refugees to Iran, he added.

Temporary entrance license will be submitted for refugees who volunteered to return to their homeland, Shargh daily quoted Ghashghavi as saying.

"Issues such as preventing illegal immigrations discussed during Australian Deputy Refugees Minister's visit to Tehran," he said.

According to the reports, hundreds of asylum seekers including Palestinian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Iranian and Sudanese in Nauru Island refugee camp, who protested against slow process of refugee determination and hardening of asylum laws, were attacked by police On July 20.

Some 125 asylum seekers were in police custody on Nauru after the riot ended with fire destroying most of an Australian-run detention center there.

The remaining 420 asylum seekers have been transferred to a second detention camp under construction at another part of the tiny atoll that is home to fewer than 10,000. They are now living in tents, AP reported.

The fire on Friday evening destroyed all the accommodation blocks, medical facilities and offices and caused an estimated 60 million Australian dollars ($55 million) damage, an Immigration Department spokeswoman said under the department's usual condition of anonymity.

Eight asylum seekers received hospital treatment following the riot in which protesters hurled rocks at guards and police armed with batons and shields.