Tri-Service
Former Afghan Interpreters Warned Of Deportation From UK
Two former interpreters for British forces in Afghanistan have been warned they face deportation from the UK.
According to the Daily Mail, the two men paid people-smugglers to help them escape from the Taliban in their home country and reach the Britain.
They applied for asylum in the country but were arrested and held at immigration centres before they were released and told they could be deported to the first European country where they were fingerprinted.
One former frontline translator, 24-year-old Hafiz, told the paper he was devastated he had been served with a deportation letter:
“I have thought about killing myself rather than being sent to Austria where I was fingerprinted because they said I should go back to Afghanistan.”
“The Taliban has made many threats against me and they took my father and shot him in the legs.”
“My work in saving British lives has counted for nothing.”
The news comes after the death of 29-year-old interpreter, Nangyalali Dawoodzai, who killed himself after being told he faced deportation to Italy.
In response the Ministry of Defence said: “We recognise the vital role local staff, including interpreters, played in operations in Afghanistan.
“That is why, as well as offering a generous redundancy package in recognition of this service, we have a permanent expert team based in Kabul. They assist with relocations within Afghanistan and, where necessary, relocation to the UK.”
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