AFGHAN asylum seeker Naematullah Rahmati is in 'limbo-land' his employer said today. Known to friends as Matt, Mr Rahmati is facing removal from the UK and an uncertain future after immigration authorities turned down his application and subsequent appeals to stay.

AFGHAN asylum seeker Naematullah Rahmati is in 'limbo-land' his employer said today.

Known to friends as Matt, Mr Rahmati is facing removal from the UK and an uncertain future after immigration authorities turned down his application and subsequent appeals to stay.

Despite a recent meeting with Ipswich MP Chris Mole, Mr Mole said there is little he can now do to help Matt so all he can do is sit and wait.

Mr Rahmati, of Victoria Street, Ipswich, fled to the UK five years ago after his father was executed on Taliban orders.

He has since trained as a mechanic, found work, married and learnt English.

Mr Rahmati's boss and staunch supporter Marcello Di Franco said the 21-year-old mechanic was upset but hopeful things would work out.

Mr Di Franco, owner of H&F Autos in St Helen's Street, Ipswich, said Mr Mole had listened carefully to Mr Rahmati's plight.

He said: "Matt is in limbo land. He doesn't know what it going to happen and he is fairly upset. We are trying to keep his spirits up."

Last Thursday Mr Di Franco accompanied Matt to a meeting with Ipswich MP Chris Mole.

Mr Di Franco said: "We had a meeting that lasted one and a half hours. Mr Mole took a great interest in his case but there isn't a huge amount he can do.

"We looked through all the papers and Mr Mole said that when the Home Office gets in touch with Matt we should contact him again. We are trying to buy some time and delay the date he has to leave."

Mr Di Franco said he hoped Matt would pass a further qualification at Suffolk College.

He added: "I hope to apply for a work permit for him if he passes his NVQ level three. We hope he will not have to back to Afghanistan.

N What do you think? Should Mr Rahmati be allowed to stay or should he go back to rebuild his war-torn country? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk