Interpreters ‘left by UK to face wrath of the Taliban’
ARMY interpreters forced into hiding following the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan say their ‘reward’ for helping Britain during 20 years of conflict is being left trapped in their homeland.
A group of seven – many of whom have been victims of violent attacks by the militants – have spoken out after contributing more than 40 years of service to UK authorities between them.
One, named only as Mohammad, suffered stomach injuries when a suicide bomber threw a grenade at him at the British embassy in Kabul in 2011. ‘It took my injuries six months to heal,’ he said. However, he and his colleagues say they have seen their applications to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme rejected.
Now unable to work for fear of being recognised, the group say they are being
PA spied on by people in their area. ‘We deserve to be recognised and evacuated. We are concerned about the future of our children – they may get brainwashed by the Taliban,’ said Mohammad. ‘ We were left behind. This was our reward.’
Under the Arap scheme, any Afghans who helped Allied forces can apply to come to the UK due to their risk of persecution at the hands of the Taliban.
All seven interpreters quit their posts several years ago– some due to injuries sustained while in the UK’s employment.
The MoD said: ‘ During Operation Pitting we worked tirelessly to airlift more than 15,000 people from Kabul, including thousands of Arap applicants. Our commitment to those who are eligible for relocation is not time-limited and will endure. Those who were dismissed for serious offences will continue to be excluded.’