Switzerland rejects asylum for Iranian refugee Behnam Vali

Switzerland’s Federal Administrative Court has rejected the asylum application of Behnam Vali Heydarian, an Iranian national also known as Ben Vali. The decision places him at risk of deportation to Georgia, which Swiss authorities classify as a safe country, and potentially back to Iran.

Heydarian claims he faces severe persecution in Iran due to his religious conversion, proselytism, and public support for Israel. He also reported facing transnational aggression while in Georgia, including physical assaults, threats from individuals he believes are linked to security services, and the repeated freezing of his bank accounts. He cited his pro-Israel activities following the October 7 attacks as a primary driver of this pressure.

A representative of the Peace Synagogue in Georgia, Mikheil Grishashvili, confirmed that Heydarian has been an active member of the local Jewish community since 2023. Heydarian has appealed the decision, requesting an individual assessment of the specific risks he faces in Georgia.