A WOMAN who fled Bangladesh after claiming she was gang raped is now celebrating after winning her right to stay in the UK.

Naima Alam who lives in Newton Heath said she would be killed if she was forced to return to Bangladesh because her husband was a political activist and his political opponents were threatening to kill her.

But after months of campaigning with the help of local agencies, Naima can safely stay in the UK with her three-children.

Said Mrs Alam: "I am so happy. Everyday I was living in fear that I will be deported back to Dhaka in Bangladesh.

"The country was never safe for me to return and I am pleased that the appeal judges believe my story and have allowed me to stay."

Mrs Alam first fled Bangladesh with her husband, Zahangir and their two children in 2001 because of his involvement with the leftist Bangladesh Freedom Party.

The party's founders were accused of conspiring to kill Bangladesh’s first prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Mr Alam lost his fight against deportation and was sent back to Bangladesh three years ago.

Mrs Alam said before they fled for the UK via Jamaica, the family was in hiding in Dhaka.

During one occasion when Mr Alam had left town, Mrs Alam said she was gang raped by five men who had come looking for him.

She said: "When men from the Awami League found out about our whearabouts, my husband had to flee the matrimonial home.

"They came looking for him on two occasions but when they didn't find him, they kidnapped me, gagged me, tortured me by burning cigarettes into my arms before they raped me one by one until I passed out.

"They then dumped my body near my home.

"The local villagers found me and took me to hospital.

"I was left traumatised by the experience and scared for my life."

Mrs Alam said they informed the police but nothing was done. In the end the family fled Bangladesh and came to live in Manchester.

Added Mrs Alam: "The people of Manchester have been great to us. I was heartbroken when my husband was deported especially as my third child was born after his departure and he's never seen her.

"But hopefully we would be reunited again. My husband is still in hiding in Bangladesh and I am worried about his safety."

She added: "I want to say a big thank you to everybody who campaigned for me and helped me.

"I came to this country not knowing anyone and now I have many friends and I would not be here if it wasn't for their help."