Afghan Wrestler Gholam Soltani Faces Deportation, Fearing Death in Afghanistan
Gholam Soltani, an Afghan asylum seeker in Sweden, fears deportation could lead to his death, highlighting the human cost of asylum policies.
Key Points
- • Gholam Soltani faces deportation after rejection of his asylum application.
- • He has lived in Sweden since 2016, winning three national wrestling championships.
- • His partner fears for his safety if he returns to Afghanistan due to Taliban threats.
- • Gholam views deportation as a potential death sentence, expressing feelings of hopelessness.
Gholam Soltani, a 28-year-old Afghan wrestler, is facing imminent deportation from Sweden following the rejection of his asylum application. Since arriving in Sweden in 2016, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the wrestling community, winning three national championships while lawfully working and paying taxes. However, the Swedish authorities have deemed his asylum request insufficient, prompting the order for his deportation.
His partner, Anna Holm, has been vocal about the dire risks Gholam would face if he returns to Afghanistan, where his lifestyle could be met with deadly consequences under Taliban rule. "He would rather die here in Sweden than go back. It's like a death sentence for him," Anna stated, underlining the profound risks that deportation poses to Gholam's life.
Describing their situation, Anna expressed that they are trapped in a 'no man's land' filled with uncertainty and despair. Gholam's mental health has significantly deteriorated due to the stress of his possible return to a country steeped in violence and repression. He previously spent time in detention while awaiting his application results, a period that deeply affected his psychological well-being.
In a heartfelt social media post, Gholam conveyed his feelings of hopelessness and exhaustion stemming from nearly nine years of fighting for his residency in Sweden. "I never thought I would be in this situation, waiting for every paper to arrive. It's exhausting," he wrote, ending with a note of thanks to the Swedish wrestling community for their unwavering support during this ordeal.