Sunday , 5 May 2024

Former Political Prisoner Among Asylum Seekers Detained En Route to Italy

Iranwire – Milad Arsanjani, a former political prisoner, was apprehended along with nearly a hundred other asylum seekers in Greek waters, IranWire reports. 

"We were en route from Greece to Italy when they arrested us," he said in a video message sent to IranWire

“We were en route from Greece to Italy when they arrested us,” he said in a video message sent to IranWire. 

“They are now taking us back to Türkiye. There is a possibility that many would get deported back to Iran. Most are former political prisoners,” he added. 

According to him, over 60 of the 98 passengers on the ship departing Greece for Italy were politically active Iranians.

The deportation of asylum seekers, refugees, and political and civil activists living in Türkiye to Iran has seen a worrisome surge in recent years. 

United Nations refugee officials have also reduced their activities and now defer the handling of refugees to the Turkish government.

Previously, the Turkish government deported political activist Shahryar Baratinya to Iran, leading to his imprisonment in Evin Prison since August 3, 2023, following his deportation.

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