17 January 2011, 21:00
Norwegian court released Salamova, native of North Ossetia
In Norway, the court decided to release Madina Salamova (Maria Ameli), arguing that there was no need to keep her in custody. Maria Ameli will spend her last days before deportation at large, said Brinyulf Risnes, the advocate of the native of North Ossetia.
As previously reported by the "Caucasian Knot", Maria Ameli, 25, a native of Vladikavkaz, was arrested on January 12 in Lillehammer by a special unit of the Norwegian police, which identifies illegal migrants. The popular local weekly "Ny Tid" named Maria Ameli "the Norwegian Woman of 2010"; however, she is waiting for deportation to Russia.
According to the advocate, Ameli may be released tonight.
Norway holds actions in support of Maria Ameli. A rally with burning torches several-thousand-strong was held opposite the Ministry of Justice of the Oslo meeting was held. Actions were also held in other cities. The protesters demanded the release Ameli and provide her a residence permit in Norway, the Radio Liberty reports.
Norwegians are actively speaking in support of Maria Ameli in the networks Facebook and Twitter.
In 2000, Maria's parents illegally moved from Russia to Norway and stayed to live there. The girl who was 15 years old then finished school in Norway and received a bachelor's degree at the University of Trondheim. Then, Ameli wrote a book named "Illicit Norwegian" telling about life in Norway of a person without documents and legal status; it was published in 2010 and almost completely sold out - the book was a success.
Last autumn, Maria for the first time filed a petition to the Appeal Commission on Foreigners' Matters asking to consider her case separately from her parents. However, the Commission answered negatively, while the court additionally ruled to arrest and deport her. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that, according to Maria, she cannot go to Russia: she knows nobody there and has no relatives.