Russian family holed up in T.O. church finally deported to Israel

Ilan Brovman, his wife, Irit, and their two children, Tom, 8, and Katrin, 5, sought refuge at the West Hill United Church, on Orchard Park Dr., for more than a year. (MICHAEL PEAKE/QMI Agency files)

TORONTO -- Time has finally run out for a Russian family who sought refuge in an east-end church for a year to avoid deportation.

Ilan Brovman, 42, his wife, Irit, 40, and their children, Tom, 8, and Katrin, 5, were arrested outside the West Hill United Church and placed on a flight to Tel Aviv last Friday, their counsel said Monday.

The family had been holed up in a basement apartment of the Scarborough church to avoid being sent back to Israel, where they alleged they faced persecution for having a Jewish surname while not being Jews.

The failed refugee claimants had vowed not to leave the church for fears they would be deported. They were sought on warrants for failing to show up for removal.

"Their time had run out and there was no way they could remain in Canada," said immigration consultant Roy Kellogg, who represented Ilan Brovman. "They are now back in Israel."

He said officers of the Canada Border Services Agency were waiting outside the church for the family to appear.

Irit and the children were arrested early last week and held in detention, Kellogg said, adding it took several days before Ilan Brovman was persuaded to join his family for the trip home.

The family had obtained letters of support from two churches as well as community groups, leaders and politicians.

The Brovmans arrived in Canada from Israel in 2007 and filed failed refugee claims at Pearson airport.

Brovman said his family left Russia in 1992 for Israel, where he alleges they were singled out, insulted or assaulted for having a Jewish surname while not being Jews.

Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2012/07/30/20044726.html?cid=rssnewscanada

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