January 12, 2000 04:14am
Australia refuses visa to Iranian porn actress
Source: Reuters/Variety
(SYDNEY, AU) - An Iranian woman who appeared in soft-porn movies was refused an Australian protection visa on Wednesday despite her fears of persecution in Iran because of roles in X-rated movies.
The Australian Associated Press (AAP) national news agency reported that Fatemeh Moradgholi, 42, told the court she believed she faced persecution in Iran because of her involvement in pornography and adultery, and previous convictions for counter-revolutionary activity.
But the Federal Court in Sydney upheld an earlier decision by the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) to refuse Moradgholi the protection visa because she had not been ``hotly pursued'' any more than other members of the Iranian community.
``In support, the RRT referred to evidence that (Moradgholi) had, over significant periods of time... engaged in four forms of activity illegal under the laws of Iran without detection,'' AAP quoted Justice Kevin Lindgren as telling the court.
The illegal activity in Iran included selling alcohol, having a sexual relationship with a married man, renting out X-rated videos and performing in X-rated videos, the review body said.
In the movies she took off her outer clothes but kept her undergarments on and did not touch and was not touched by anyone.
Moradgholi fled to Australia after her home was raided in September 1998 and videos she was renting out, including X-rated videos, were found.
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