A STUDENT orphaned by war in Afghanistan is fighting to stay in the country he now calls home.

Husien Panahi, 19, came to Medway four years ago after his parents were murdered by Taliban soldiers.

He has learned to speak English and achieved remarkable success in his studies at Greenacre School, Walderslade, and the sixth form of Chatham Grammar School for Girls.

Husien was looking forward to starting university in September, but the day after his final A-level exam, he received a letter from the Home Office that shattered his hopes: officials will not renew his right to remain here and want to send him back to Kabul.

The schools in which he studied are backing his bid to stay here, as is Medway MP Bob Marshall-Andrews, who said: "It seems there's a danger of a serious injustice if he's denied the right to stay in the UK."

* For the full story see the Medway Messenger (Friday, June 8).