Interpreter fears for brother’s safety after move to UK blocked
The UK Government is being urged to rescue the families of Afghan interpreters who face being killed by the Taliban.
Last week The Sunday Post revealed the brothers of Afghan interpreter Ahmad Refa, who found sanctuary in Scotland, have received death threats from the Taliban because he worked for the British Army.
Another Afghan interpreter has revealed his brother has been refused permission to relocate despite putting his life in danger by working for UK forces. The patrol interpreter, who wished to remain anonymous, worked for the British Army in Afghanistan for 11 years and relocated to Scotland in 2018.
His brother, who worked as a labourer for the British Army, was told in June he was not eligible for relocation under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
The brother living in Scotland said: “He is in imminent danger. As soon as the Taliban has taken over, he will be taken out of the house and killed.
“The Taliban have killed 900 people in Kandahar just for being Afghan Government supporters. They were dragged out of their homes and killed.
“I am worried the same thing will happen to my brother.”
Carol Monaghan, the SNP’S armed forces spokesperson, said: “The Home Office has a moral responsibility to ensure interpreters and their families who assisted British Forces in Afghanistan are offered the opportunity of a safe life in the UK. I urge the UK Government to look once again at this case as a matter of urgency.”
The Ministry of Defence said: “Nobody’s life should be put at risk because they supported the UK Government in Afghanistan. Our Afghan relocation policy has already supported over 2,700 former Afghan staff and their families to start new lives in the UK, with more than 1,000 of arriving over the last few weeks alone. As we continue to significantly accelerate the pace of relocations, hundreds more will follow.
“We carefully assess each application for relocation under the criteria of the ARAP.”