AN Assembly Mem-ber is urging the Home Office to reverse its decision to send a teenaged asylum seeker back to Kosovo after eight teenagers were shot in the country.

Edmond Pone, 18, of Blaina, has been living in Ebbw Vale for almost four years and is desperate to stay in Gwent.

On Tuesday, an Immigra-tion Appellate Authority hearing decided that, as Kosovo is now ruled a safe country, Edmond would have to return.

That's despite support for him to stay in the UK from Blaenau Gwent MP Llew Smith, Blaenau Gwent Assembly Member, Peter Law, and Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

But on Wednes-day, two teenagers were killed and five more were injured by gunfire while swimming in the Bistricia river.

The river is near both Serbian and Albanian villages and the attack is believed to have been sectarian in motive.

Mr Law said: "It's obviously not as safe as everybody says, is it? These things take a long time to settle, and in the first few years after a conflict there's still going to be a threat. This incident suggests there is a strong threat and that we would be propelling Edmond back into squalor and misery.

"He could be going back into danger and that needs to be taken into account. It's going to be very difficult there and the level of poverty would mean he'd probably end up homeless and in very difficult circumstances. "I don't think anyone wants to see him deported. He's accepted all the traditions and culture of the area and is a good example of what people should be doing in the community.

"He's earned the support he has and I don't know what else we need to do to make the authorities realise he has the right to stay."

Edmond arrived in Ebbw Vale almost four years ago when he and another refugee, Kreinar Lleshi, were discovered hiding in the back of a lorry. He fled his native country at the urging of his parents, who wanted him to find a better life.

Foster parents Julia Gregg and Steve Crandon welcomed the pair into their home and Edmond, now living in Blaina, has begun training to be a builder.

They already plan to appeal the decision and may ask Home Secretary David Blunkett to intervene.