Volkswagen Forum - VW Forums for Volkwagen enthusiasts - Cannot open passenger door on VW Golf MK V

The passenger door will not open from the inside or outside. The central locking sounds like it is working. The outside handle has been removed and the cable unhooked, and with an L-shaped wire inserted into the lock we are able to see and move the lever but still the door will not open. We have also tried banging below the lock while using the handle. We do not think the issue is electric.

Most guides and videos on how to fix this are for the steps above, or for a rear door where you can jar open the front panel from the side/edge and break something inside unlike the passenger, or using a holesaw for a spot on a Mark IV back door at shoulder height, that cannot be mapped easily to the passenger door of this Mark V.

How can I get this open please?