Illegal immigrants riot at detention centre

Dozens of suspected illegal immigrants rioted at an Australian detention centre to protest the government's decision to repatriate refugees whose asylum applications were rejected.

Dozens of suspected illegal immigrants rioted at an Australian detention centre to protest the government's decision to repatriate refugees whose asylum applications were rejected.

As many as 60 refugees being held behinesisting being repatriated and others were protesting their removal," the spokesman said.

"Those being removed were at the end of all lawful processes and have no lawful basis for remaining in Australia."

The riot was the latest in a recent string of violence at Australian detention centres for suspected illegal immigrants.

A spokesman for Iranian detainees said three men who were being repatriated from Port Hedland would face death on their return to Iran because they had insulted Islam by leaving their country, the West Australian newspaper reported.

Speaking before the riot, the unidentified spokesman warned there could be violence if the three men were not allowed to stay at the centre.