# Is Nasseri still in the airport? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [December 3, 2001, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasseri-still-in-the-airport/96541 "2001-12-03T01:56:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasseri-still-in-the-airport/96541/1 "2001-12-03T01:56:34Z")
As described [here](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/990820.html). The update at the bottom of the column suggests that attempts at resolution were being made, but that nothing had come of them. That was in 1999. I did a web search, and I found some pages whose recently-revised dates indicate a possible new development in the story, but they’re in French, so I have no idea what they say. The [official airport website](http://www.paris-cdg.com/) has almost zero substantive information on any subject, let alone Nasseri’s plight. Does anybody know what’s up with this guy? ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasseri-still-in-the-airport/96541/2 "2001-12-03T05:05:00Z")
Four points: [ul]1. This should probably be in Comments on Cecil’s Columns. 1. It would help if you cited particular articles you’re talking about. 2. If you can find it on Google, there will usually be an option to translate the French article into English. 3. I couldn’t find anything suggesting he had left, and it would be a pretty big story if he did.[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasseri-still-in-the-airport/96541/3 "2001-12-03T05:26:08Z")
Off to Comments on Cecil’s Columns. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasseri-still-in-the-airport/96541/4 "2001-12-03T05:30:06Z")
I had mentioned in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=58781) that I e-mailed some people for information on Mr. Nasseri. I never received a response. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasseri-still-in-the-airport/96541/5 "2001-12-03T14:18:52Z")
Not all Google pages have the “Translate this page” option. Here’s one. It’s dated 28-2-2000. [http://epoca.globo.com/edic/ed28022000/brasil4.htm](http://epoca.globo.com/edic/ed28022000/brasil4.htm) > [@](#): > > Exilado vive há 12 anos no saguão do Charles de Gaulle, em Paris > > Em 1988, o exilado iraniano Merhan Nasseri partiu de Paris para a Inglaterra. Sem passaporte, não pôde desembarcar. Mandado de volta, foi recusado pela França. Sem dinheiro, fixou residência na zona internacional do Aeroporto Charles de Gaulle, em Paris. Sobrevive da caridade de passageiros, tripulantes e funcionários. Às vezes, recebe cartas. Em 1999, depois de conseguir provar ser um refugiado político, foi autorizado a deixar o aeroporto. Aos 55 anos, preferiu ficar por ali. Babelfish says that “Aos 55 anos, preferiu ficar por ali” means “The 55 years, it preferred to be for there.” I’m guessing that although he’s been given permission to leave, he’d rather stay there. Think about it–as long as he stays there, he’s a celebrity. A minor one, to be sure, but still… And where’s he gonna go? ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasseri-still-in-the-airport/96541/6 "2001-12-04T16:58:04Z")
I lived in Brazil for a couple of years, so I can understand that little paragraph of Portuguese. The last two sentences mean “In 1999, after getting proof of being a political refugee, he was authorized to leave the airport. At 55 years [of age], he preferred to stay there.” So yeah, he can leave now but doesn’t want to. -Loopus