Migrant Found Drifting Off British Coast Claims to be Christian Convert

A migrant claiming to have escaped Christian persecution in Iran was found floating in a kayak off the coast of Britain.

A cross-channel ferry spotted him drifting eight miles from land and picked him up.

It is believed that the man had been a resident of the "jungle" camp in Calais, France, where thousands of Middle East refugees were held until it was shut down last week. French authorities had more than 6,000 adults taken by bus to reception centers where their asylum claims will be reviewed.

A Premier article reports that the migrant from the Calais camp is around 30 years old and converted to Christianity while he was Iran. He fled to escape persecution for his faith.

The report says that he will be expected to prove his Iranian origins as well as his conversion. If authorities believe he is being truthful about leaving Islam to become a Christian, they are likely to accept his application for asylum.