Evacuated Afghan in Watford could 'surrender to Taliban'

Faiz Mohammad Seddeqi, 30, was evacuated to Watford with his wife and son, but had to leave other family members behind at the time.

He remains in the town with, he estimates, around 200 other evacuated Afghans.

Now he fears he may have to surrender himself to the Taliban, after his father was captured and tortured by the Taliban - as Mr Seddeqi worked as a guard with the British Embassy in Kabul.

“The Taliban asked my father ‘where is your son? He needs to come back and answer our questions’,” he said.

Faiz Mohammad Seddeqi fled Afghanistan to Watford (Photo: PA)

Mr Seddeqi said: “After spending a night in a police station he finally got released, but after his release he went to hide somewhere and left his home.

“Unfortunately it was a couple of weeks ago that (he) was captured by the Taliban again and was tortured.”

He revealed to the PA news agency that during his work with the British Embassy, he was targeted several times by the Taliban, receiving threatening messages and seeing his car set on fire.

The Taliban also fired guns through the window of the family home, while his sister is also missing.

While he expressed his gratitude for the work the UK Government has done in accommodating him to the country, he hopes that he can receive further help – otherwise he will have to surrender himself and return to the country.

Faiz Mohammad Seddeqi fled Afghanistan to Watford (Photo: PA)

Mr Seddeqi, who worked with the British Embassy for over a year, said: “We helped British Embassy and British soldiers and diplomats in Afghanistan, we worked for them, we tried to serve them while they were in Afghanistan.

“What I want from Home Office or from Foreign Office is help (bringing) my family to the UK.”

Recalling the moment he fled Afghanistan, he said: “We promised each other (his other family members) to meet at Kabul airport after three days, so after three days I and my immediate family went to Kabul airport and my other family members came to the airport as well.

“But due to the huge rush and firing of tear gas I lost my other family members. I only could get my (child) and wife to the airport for the evacuation.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We undertook the UK’s biggest and fastest emergency evacuation in recent history, helping over 15,000 people to safety from Afghanistan who we are continuing to support.

“There is now a huge effort under way to get families into permanent homes so they can settle and rebuild their lives, and to ensure those still temporarily accommodated in hotels have access to healthcare, education, any essential items they need and employment opportunities or Universal Credit.

“The ongoing role of local authorities is vital to these efforts and we are grateful for their continued offers of support and housing but the accommodation offered must meet the needs of those being resettled.”