LA-based Saudi diplomat seeks asylum

A Saudi diplomat based in Los Angeles is looking for asylum in the U.S. for fear he would be killed if he returned to Saudi Arabia.

According to NBC news, Ali Ahmad Asseri says Saudi officials have refused to renew his diplomatic passport and effectively terminated his job after discovering he was gay and close friends with a Jewish woman.

KPCC’s Alex Cohen spoke about the case with professor Niels Frenzen of USC's Gould school of law. Frenzen talked about what legal grounds there might be for asylum in this case.

Frenzen said the U.S in the past has granted asylum to members of certain groups that face persecution in their home countries and that sexual preference is a protected category.

Asseri would need documentary evidence to demonstrate to U.S. immigration officials that his life would be in danger upon returning to Saudi soil, Franzen said.