US deports Iranian activist to Central African Republic, lawyer says
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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Outcome reported
- A pro-democracy Iranian activist was deported from the U.S. to the Central African Republic, her lawyer reported.
- The activist, who had converted to Christianity, was the only one of three women facing deportation to be on the flight.
- Lawyers express grave concerns about the deportee's safety and lack of connection to the Central African Republic, fearing she may be forced back to Iran.
A U.S. deportation flight carrying an Iranian pro-democracy activist landed in the Central African Republic, her lawyer confirmed Friday, calling the transfer "super dangerous."
Emily Trostle, the lawyer, stated that her client was the sole individual on a flight that departed from Louisiana on Thursday night. Three Iranian women who had fled persecution in their home country were at risk of deportation, but only one ultimately boarded the plane. Trostle did not rule out the possibility that the other two could be deported later.
The plane arrived in Bangui, the Central African Republic's capital, shortly before 10 p.m. local time, after a stop in Accra, Ghana. It remains unclear where the deportees will be housed or for how long they can remain in the Central African Republic. "They have absolutely no connection to this place. In all of my filings I submitted tons of information about how this was super dangerous," Trostle told Reuters.
Human rights advocates are concerned that the deportees are being abandoned in a country where they have no legal status, connections, or support network. They fear the individuals may ultimately be forced to return to Iran, the country they originally fled. The U.S. State Department and the Central African Republic's presidency have not yet responded to requests for comment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security previously stated that all deportees receive full due process.
They have absolutely no connection to this place. In all of my filings I submitted tons of information about how this was super dangerous.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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