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Homayoun Hatami thought the woman walking past him on Geelong waterfront was acting strangely and when she jumped into icy Corio Bay he followed her without ­hesitation.


Mr Hatami’s swift and ­determined action saved her life and now the Iranian asylum seeker, in Geelong on community detention, has ­received an Australian bravery award for his actions.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has formally stamped his citation among annual decorations.

Mr Hatami, 25, also Australian champion karate ­exponent, will receive his award at Victoria’s Government House later in the year.

He emerged covered in scratches after about 20 minutes in the water saving the woman as she tried to fight him off.

His citation reads: “On seeing the woman dive fully clothed into the cold, isolated and poorly lit waters, Mr Hatami undressed and dived in.

“Although the woman continually struggled and ­resisted Mr Hatami’s ­attempts, he swam her back to the safety of the pier.

“Mr Hatami restrained the woman until a police officer arrived and assisted.”

Mr Hatami fled Iran in 2010 to escape persecution and spent 1½ years in detention centres after his arrival on a sinking boat.

Advocate Mark Bennett has taken his case to Senator Michael Ronaldson and made a special appeal to the Immigration Department.

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