Family from Herat stuck at Istanbul airport for 3 weeks

KABUL (Pajhwok): Fleeing escalating violence in their homeland, a 16-member Afghan family has been stranded at Istanbul Airport for three weeks, says a media report.

The family from western Herat province, including adults, elderly people and babies, reached Turkey on June 22. They have since been stuck at the airport because of visa anomalies.

Members of the family told the BBC’s Turkish service they arrived in Turkey without visas and their entrance was denied by authorities.

While refusing to return to Afghanistan, they claim having received threats from the Taliban. Growing insecurity is another reason for their refusal, the family explains.

Ahmed (not real name), a member of the family, said he worked for a US-based international aid organisation in Afghanistan.

In June, when one of their relatives was killed by the militants, the family arrived in Kabul from Herat. Later, they flew to Istanbul.

Denied entry into the country as they did not have Turkish visas, the household opted to live in a terminal of the airport.

Having filed an international protection application, Ahmad says: “The Taliban know we have fled. If we go back, they will kill us all. In no way can we return to our country…”

PAN Monitor/mud

Visits: 285