Asylum seeker found dead after battle with ‘trauma’ from home country

Mohammed was declared dead at a nearby hospital (Picture: MEN Media)

A young Algerian man who sought sanctuary in the UK was found dead after struggling with trauma he experienced in his home country.

Mohammed Aymen Saouli, 26, moved to the UK, where he was officially registered as an asylum seeker in Preston.

He went on to begin dating a woman from Bamber Bridge. He went to his girlfriend’s home on May 28, and sparked worry when he was ‘slurring his words’ and swaying.

Eventually, Mohammed went to sleep, and his girlfriend joined him, but when she woke up, he wasn’t breathing.

She started CPR and called an ambulance, but Mohammed was pronounced dead after being taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

An inquest held this week at Preston Coroners’ Court heard that Mohammed had been engaging with mental health services in the months before his death.

Area Coroner Emma Mather said: ‘He had ongoing thoughts of suicide.’

In May this year, Mohammed was assessed by the service, and revealed that he felt hopeless and useless.

‘He was having a very bad time and experiencing suicidal thoughts,’ the coroner said.

‘However, despite him saying that he was feeling hopeless and useless, he had hopes that things would get better and he could keep himself safe.’

Toxicology tests revealed that Mohammed had several prescription drugs in his system as well as amphetamine.

The cause of Mohammed’s death was recorded as mixed drug toxicity.

The coroner added: ‘Mohammed came to this country, and it seems that he has had some drug and alcohol issues in the past and was really suffering with his mental health due to previous trauma, and it is so sad to see that he has suffered so much trauma in his life.

‘He was waiting to start the Talking Therapies programme; however, he had to be in a stable position before he could start that therapy, particularly as it was to be trauma-focused.’

She added that although Mohammed had a history of suicidal thoughts, there had been no evidence that he intended to take his own life.

The coroner said that, although Mohammed had a history of feeling suicidal, there was no evidence to suggest he had intended to take his own life.

She concluded that Mohammed’s death was drug-related and accidental, adding: ‘I would like to extend my sincere, heartfelt condolences to his girlfriend and his family and friends. I am so sorry for their loss.’

Algeria, the largest country in North Africa, has a history of political unrest, civilian massacres and riots. In 2021, Amnesty International found that human rights in Algeria ‘remain extremely volatile’.

The charity said at the time: ‘Decision-makers should continue to take extremely seriously asylum claims from Algerian nationals or Sahrawi refugees who have been present in Algeria.

‘The level of violence and number of reports of human rights abuses in Algeria continues to be shockingly high, and the ability and willingness of the Algerian authorities to assure protection remain largely elusive.’

Migration from Algeria to the UK started in the 1990s. However, the success rate of applicants has historically been low, and was just 7.5 per cent last year.

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