The deportation of a well-known member of the local arts community is expected to cost taxpayers more than $12,000, The Royal Gazette learned yesterday.

The deportation has been delayed, however, as Government awaits paperwork from overseas and Tony Fernandes remains in prison at Westgate Correctional Facility, Immigration said yesterday.

The Royal Gazette reported last week that Mr. Fernandes - a high profile, former volunteer with arts groups such as the Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) and the National Gallery - had been arrested for violating Immigration laws and was to be deported last Wednesday.

The deportation date was pushed back by missing paperwork but Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer told The Royal Gazette Mr. Fernandes must remain in prison until the documents to ensure his timely transfer to India are received.

Dr. Brewer said yesterday he hoped the deportation would still go ahead this week.

Immigration procedure calls for deportees to be escorted to their destination country by two department officers and an airline booking has been made, he added.

Dr. Brewer said he did not have the details on the total cost of the deportation but, by The Royal Gazette's calculations, the two return tickets to India and Mr. Fernandes' one-way fare will run to more than $12,000 if the party leaves this week on British Airways.

It will also require at least one overnight stay by Immigration officers.

"That's the law," Dr. Brewer replied when asked if Government had to foot the bill for the deportation.

Mr. Fernandes originally came to the Island 16 years ago to work with one of the local hotels.

The Royal Gazette understands that he resided legally in Bermuda for 11 years but remained on the Island an additional five years after his employment expired.

During that time, according to Immigration, Mr. Fernandes was illegally operating his own business in order to support himself.

Mr. Brewer said Mr. Fernandes apparently did not leave the Island during the last five years which is why he was never caught attempting to re-enter Bermuda without Immigration authority.

The case came to the attention of Immigration officers following a complaint from a member of the public.

Mr. Fernandes was arrested on January 20 and The Royal Gazette understands that he has been detained in the maximum security area of Westgate due to lack of available space in the general population for at least a portion of that time.

An energetic volunteer with a number of different groups, Mr. Fernandes had most recently been acting as volunteer coordinator of the BIFF film club which screens independent films once a month at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

BIFF director Aideen Ratteray-Pryse said yesterday the film club will continue despite Mr. Fernandes' unexpectedly hasty departure.

Mrs. Ratteray-Pryse said Mr. Fernandes already had films lined up for the next two months.

She said she may have to organise the film club herself for a while but assured the public the monthly films will continue.

"We'll be organising it among ourselves," said Mrs. Ratteray-Pryse.