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Afghan Invictus team-members granted bridging visas

Six Afghan veterans who stayed behind in Australia following the Sydney Invictus Games applied for asylum.

Five of the six Afghan Invictus athletes and officials who remained in Australia (SBS)
Source: SBS

Six Afghan veterans who stayed behind in Australia following the Sydney Invictus Games say they are owed protection.

The five athletes and one trainer say they were not planning to stay in the country but made the decision after seeing what is was like to live in what they saw as safety.

Since staying behind, the group says they have received threats from Afghan government officials.

Athlete Sohail Naseri, who lost both his legs while working on a joint patrol with British forces, says Australia must assist wounded veterans.

"We have sacrificed our lives for the safety of these countries, even for the safety of Australians. That is why I brought myself to Australia and sought asylum", - Naseri said.

The group have been granted bridging visas, allowing them to stay in Australia legally while their asylum claims are being processed.

More in English via SBS News.


1 min read

Published

Source: AFP, SBS



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