IPSWICH mechanic Matt Rahmati is today continuing his struggle to return to Britain by attempting to get a visa for India.The 22-year-old failed Afghan asylum seeker intends to apply to the British Embassy in New Dehli for permission to re-enter England legally and be reunited with his wife Tanya at their home in Victoria Street.
IPSWICH mechanic Matt Rahmati is today continuing his struggle to return to Britain by attempting to get a visa for India.
The 22-year-old failed Afghan asylum seeker intends to apply to the British Embassy in New Dehli for permission to re-enter England legally and be reunited with his wife Tanya at their home in Victoria Street.
However, since being repatriated to Kabul in August, the Rahmati's have suffered one blow after another.
First Mrs Rahmati was mugged while on a short-break in Spain meant to cheer her up. Then Mr Rahmati's application to go to Dubai so he could apply to return to England was denied because he was under the age limit for a visa. And now he is recovering from a stomach bug which has laid him low over the past few days.
His mother-in-law Karen Barroso said: “He's been pretty poorly. They have to take him to the doctor because of low blood pressure.”
Ms Barroso said in spite of all the problems, Mr Rahmati has remained resilient.
She said: “Matt is never really down. I have never, ever known him to show that he's not feeling so good. He's always happy and always cheerful. Today he should be going to see if he can get a visa for India.”
Mr Rahmati's struggle to build a life in England has also taken a financial toll on him and his wife. With only one wage now coming in and money needed to fund Mr Rahmati's bid to return, Mrs Rahmati has had to take on another job as a shop worker in addition to her full-time post as a hairdresser.
The family have been told by their solicitor that the British Embassy in New Dehli is now their quickest and easiest route to getting Mr Rahmati back.
Ms Barroso said: “Matt says every day seems like the same. He doesn't know what day of the week it is. He's fed up with sitting around. There's nothing to do.”
Mr Rahmati claimed asylum when he entered England via Felixstowe as a 15-year-old after telling authorities he feared he would be killed by the Taliban if he remained in Afghanistan.
N Do you think it was fair to send Mr Rahmati back to Afghanistan? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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