We spoke to Nabi today in Athens. This is an update from him and this morning's conversation with the Director of Faith Matters, Fiyaz Mughal.
Nabi was a British Army Interpreter from 2008-2011. He worked in conflict zones for the British Army in Helmand, Musa Kala and in areas that were heavily fought over such as Kajaki district where British forces saw action and where some lost their lives.
He received threatening letters in 2010/2011 which threatened both him and his family if he did not leave working for the British Army. He subsequently informed the military about these threats and was told that they were acknowledged. As the threats by the Taleban escalated, he feared for his life and he was twice contacted by letter by senior Taleban operatives who told him that he was on their target list. On both occasions, the threats came from senior commanders of the Taleban. One was based in the Kunduz area and the second, led the Taleban's forces in Kajaki.This meant that his life was in real danger.
In 2016, the Taleban took over areas around Nabi's village and regularly traverse through his village to this day. However, he decided in 2016 that his life was at risk as the Taleban regrouped and took over swathes of land and he left for Turkey. He tried to contact the UNHCR and got nowhere and lived 18 months in Turkey, fending for himself and trying to alert them to his family's plight.
With no hope and with a fear that his family could be targeted, (he has 4 young children with the youngest being 3 years old), he crossed into Greece in May 2018. He has been sleeping on the streets and has been assaulted and robbed more than once. He also informed us that insurgents are regularly active and traversing through his village and that he fears for his wife and family.
As you can see, this is an unacceptable situation where a man who helped our armed forces lives in a dire situation and has been left to fend for himself. This cannot continue and we would urge you to get friends and family members to sign up and also write to your local MP.
You can do so through the following site: https://www.mysociety.org/wehelpyou/who-is-your-mp/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5ub3udiS3QIVCrDtCh0jugHTEAAYASAAEgJzsfD_BwE
Nabi needs you right now. Many Afghan interpreters who worked to keep us safe, need our help. Will you stand with them?