Top Afghan interpreter denied UK sanctuary
BRITAIN’S longest-serving Afghan military interpreter has been refused sanctuary in the UK despite two senior Army officers warning his life is at risk.
The 34-year-old translator, known as Ricky, worked for the military in Afghanistan for 16 years and showed ‘unfailing loyalty’.
Brigadier Gerhard Wheeler CBE, one of the most senior officers in the country at the time, said Ricky had ‘risked his life on numerous occasions’ to help UK troops and he and his family were ‘more than deserving of a chance of a life in the UK’.
A second senior officer, now a major general, added that Ricky had made a ‘direct and significant contribution to the success of the United Kingdom’s mission in Kabul’. But when
‘Risked his life to help UK troops’
the interpreter was made redundant in November, the Ministry of Defence refused to allow him to come here because he had not served on the front line in Helmand province.
Under a Government ‘relocation scheme’, interpreters have to have served in Helmand because defence officials say that was where they faced the greatest danger.
Ricky, however, served on patrols in and around the capital, Kabul – a city deemed so dangerous that troops use armoured vehicles.
The Daily Mail’s Betrayal Of The Brave campaign has highlighted a string of scandals in which interpreters have been abandoned.
Three ex-heads of the military, former heads of the Army, Navy and RAF, Cabinet minister Liam Fox and MPs who served in the military have backed the campaign.
On top of this, 178,000 people have signed a petition to allow loyal interpreters to come to the UK – but still the Government has refused to amend its policy.
Speaking from Kabul, Ricky said: ‘In the eyes of many Afghans I have been the chief spy and the voice of the infidel because of my work. The punishment for that is death, and we live in fear... I took many risks to help the British and I would ask the UK Government to show compassion.’
Ricky was one of the first interpreters hired in 2002. The father of four’s early work included being the ‘eyes and ears’ of patrols and he came close to being blown up.
Brigadier Wheeler, a former British commander of the Kabul Security Force, said letting Ricky come here would be a ‘first step in repaying his loyal and brave service’.
Last night, Dr Julian Lewis, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, said: ‘This gentleman has proved his loyalty and his potential worth to our society.’
Dr Lewis, who is conducting an inquiry into the policy on Afghan interpreters, added: ‘A little common sense and sound judgment needs to be applied to this deserving case.’
Instead of relocation, Ricky was offered a payment of ten months’ salary or a paid education package.
Last night, the Government said: ‘We have expert teams in both the UK and in Kabul who ensure that former Afghan staff who feel threatened are properly supported.’