LOC09:24
06:24 GMT
LONDON, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- An Afghan interpreter who was injured in a Taleban
attack while working with the Ministry of Defense was denied asylum, and UK
immigration authorities said the 25 year-old did not provide enough documents
and evidence to support his request, according to local media, Wednesday.
The asylum seeker, Mohammed, told the BBC he was disappointed with the
decision and reiterated that he was in fear for the life and safety of himself
and his family, since his own people view him as a traitor because he had
worked with the British forces. He said the Taleban considers him and his
colleagues as spies, adding he had received threats of beheading, aimed both
at him and members of his family.
The BBC had previously in a report reviewed several documents which prove
the man served with the British forces for five years, and that he still has
injuries caused by the Taleban attack which killed a British officer.
Mohammed suffers from shrapnel in the head, neck, and arms. He suffered a
year-long loss of hearing, and still suffers bouts of headaches and depression.
The man requested asylum in 2011, and had to wait a year to hear that his
request was denied.
No less than 21 Afghan interpreters were killed over the last five years
and an even bigger number were injured. The majority of these Afghans live in
constant fear for their lives after the British forces left the scene.
The MoD meanwhile commented on the report in a statement, saying "The MoD
is aware of the case and is investigating the circumstances ... We value the
contribution of all our locally employed staff, who play an extremely
important role in supporting military operations in Afghanistan" but
continued, "Immigration matters are not the responsibility of the Ministry of
Defence."(end)
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KUNA 030924 Oct 12NNNN