Man who died in migrant centre 'faced no charges'

Theophile Kaliviotis was found unresponsive at the Brook House detention centre

A pre-inquest review hearing has been held into the death of a man at an immigration removal centre near Gatwick Airport.

French national Théophile Kaliviotis died on 27 October 2024 in custody at Brook House, West Sussex.

Horsham Coroner's Court heard the 26-year-old was being held there despite the charges against him being dropped.

"Why on earth was this individual in immigration detention," said Kirsten Heaven, representing his family.

"There was no issue about putting him on a Eurostar back to France," she said.

The hearing was told Mr Kaliviotis had epilepsy and was also being treated with anti-psychotic medication in France before coming to the UK.

He had been transferred to Brook House from HMP Thameside seven weeks before he died following his arrest in London.

Coroner Joseph Turner said the the cause of his death was being treated as unnatural.

It had originally been described as unascertained.

'Unanswered questions'

Ms Heaven said Mr Kaliviotis's medication was not monitored by Brook House.

His medical condition was also not assessed while he was in detention, she said.

She told the hearing Mr Kaliviotis, who should have been treated as vulnerable or at risk, had previously had breathing issues.

Staff at the facility had a lack of training and medical understanding, she said.

"This is an issue which has been rumbling on for years in Brook House," she said.

"There are unanswered questions which may be relevant to cause of death."

Coroner Mr Turner said the full jury inquest, expected to last two weeks, will focus on what happened to Mr Kaliviotis, especially surrounding his medical care.

Why he was in detention may be beyond the scope of the inquest, alongside structure and policy beyond that, he said.

The full inquest is set to take place in June/July 2026.