Iranian lesbian granted asylum in the UK

London, Feb.17 (ANI): Pegah Emambakhsh, an Iranian lesbian who fled her home country after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death in Tehran, has been granted asylum in the UK. ccording to The Telegraph, Pegah Emambakhsh fled to the UK in 2005 to escape stoning and has been fighting against deportation ever since.

The 41-year-old lost her battle last year, but was supported by a human rights organisation, gay rights groups, politicians and the Friends of Pegah campaign group was established.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has told Miss Emambakhsh that she will reconsider her case.

Her supporters described the move as a "historical victory".

Lesley Boulton, from the Friends of Pegah group, said: "We have just heard that Pegah has finally been granted refugee status in the UK. This is fantastic, wonderful news."

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "We consider each case on its individual merits and, whenever someone needs our protection, we grant it." (ANI)