http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/violent-asylum-seekers-out-on-th...Asylum seekers involved in violent attacks while in immigration detention are being released into the community, including
one man who assaulted staff and was involved in more than 250 incidents.
The violent detainees are released before security checks into their background are completed, according to an insider with intimate knowledge of the detention system.
The disturbing account by the whistleblower follows Prime Minister Julia Gillard's decision on Wednesday to launch an inquiry into the release of a convicted terrorist into a low-security detention facility, where he remained for months even after his background came to light.
According to the latest account of security problems in the immigration network, one man, Khoda Doost, was involved in more than 250 incidents, including assaulting staff, and released in Victoria where he threatened to kill people and burn down his house.
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A Department of Immigration spokeswoman confirmed that a ''series of incidents'' led to Mr Doost having his community residency revoked in September last year.
Mr Doost continues to be involved in violent incidents in Sydney's Villawood detention centre, according to the whistleblower, a manager in the department.
In another incident, a detainee in Melbourne was released into the community only two weeks after threatening self-harm and to kill staff in a roof-top protest, the whistleblower told Fairfax Media.
''This person could be your next door neighbour,'' he said.
The whistleblower, who has worked in detention centres in three different locations, said the department has a target of 2000 asylum seekers being released into the community on bridging visas every month.
So once they are in the community these people haven't been nabbed for any acts of violence.
You're putting forward a great argument against the long term detention of asylum seekers ..own goal Maqqa