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Tourist wrongly detained in jail Tourist wrongly detained in jail
(40 minutes later)
A man accused of being an illegal immigrant while on holiday in Northern Ireland has been paid £7,500 after he was wrongly put in prison.A man accused of being an illegal immigrant while on holiday in Northern Ireland has been paid £7,500 after he was wrongly put in prison.
The Immigration Service wrongly detained the man in Maghaberry jail.The Immigration Service wrongly detained the man in Maghaberry jail.
Frank Kakopa who is originally from Zimbabwe, was on a short break with his wife and young children in 2005, when he was stopped at Belfast City Airport.Frank Kakopa who is originally from Zimbabwe, was on a short break with his wife and young children in 2005, when he was stopped at Belfast City Airport.
Despite showing documentation that he lived and worked in England, he was taken to prison.Despite showing documentation that he lived and worked in England, he was taken to prison.
He was strip searched and held for two days. He was strip-searched and held for two days.
Mr Kakopa said the experience still haunted him. This had happened despite his manager in England confirming both his legal residency and employment position.
'Difficult to believe'
Mr Kakopa, a structural engineer, said the experience still haunted him.
His family were left at the airport and Mr Kakopa said he had no idea what had happened to them.
"They wouldn't allow me to make phone calls - I was actually detached from the world," he said.
"I did not know where my kids were taken to.
"It is still difficult to believe that what was supposed to be a relaxing break for my family turned out to be our worst nightmare.
"I was locked up with convicted criminals, having committed no crime, while my wife and young children were left abandoned at the airport of a strange country worrying about where I was and how I was being treated."
The Equality Commission took on the case alleging false imprisonment and discrimination.
Eileen Lavery from the Equality Commission said she had concerns over why Mr Kakopa was singled out.
"He had an enormous amount of documentation," she said.
"Why pick on him? Other than I think because he is black."
In an out of court settlement the Immigration Service admitted false imprisonment and apologised to Mr Kakopa and his family.
They also agreed to discuss their practices with the Equality Commission.
The Home Office declined an interview. They said they did not comment on individual cases.