A father of eight who fled Vietnam after being accused of spying for the Americans has won refugee status for his family just days before they were due to be sent back.
Duong Cam Sang, 47, has been declared a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees along with his wife and children after a seven-year battle for the right to stay in Hong Kong, a High Court judge was told yesterday.
The decision came just as Mr Duong, who had twice been rejected by the Refugee Status Review, was preparing to launch a final court battle.
His solicitor, Matthew Gold, said the family had been earmarked for a flight back to Vietnam on Friday.
Barrister Nigel Kat, for Mr Duong, told Mr Justice Brian Keith that other Vietnamese boat people with similar cases were also hoping to be granted refugee status.
The decision comes as the Government steps up efforts to repatriate boat people before Saturday's deadline for sending them back.
