ATTORNEY Fred Smith has filed a writ of habeas corpus to compel the government to explain why four Chinese nationals are being kept at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

The Chinese nationals include Rui Hao, 32, Litao Ye, 22, Shaolian He, 46, and a 14-year-old.

According to an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the applicants arrived in the country on December 20, 2020 and were lawfully admitted to the country. However, they were allegedly unable to travel back to Europe and Asia because of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

They were allegedly frustrated by the process of trying to extend their stay and were unable to communicate this to the Department of Immigration.

The affidavit, which was signed by Wisland Geffard of Callenders and Co, said: “The applicants travelled to Bimini to extend their vacation time and on or around June 4, 2020 the applicants were arrested on a boat in Bimini. They were imprisoned in a jail in Bimini for the following two days on or around June 7, the applicants were transferred to the CDC.

“Mr Hao and Ms Ye were imprisoned at the CDC while Ms He and the minor were imprisoned at another secret location.

“On or around June 8, 2021 the applicants were taken before a Magistrate’s Court, convicted and fined $1,500 each and the magistrate recommended that they be deported.

“However, after paying the fines, the applicants continued to be falsely imprisoned by the respondents at the CDC and elsewhere. Copies of the receipts of the payment of the fines are exhibited at pages 2 through 4.

“On or around June 11, 2021, Rui’s sister Tiana provided an itinerary of paid tickets to China via USA to local counsel which was transmitted to the detention centre. The Immigration Department responded a few days later advising Ms Tonique Lewis, the attorney who represented the applicants at the Magistrates Court, that the USA immigration authorities would not agree to intransit via USA.”

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