Kayhan Yosfi, a Kurdish journalist and activist, says he fears for his life if he is returned to his native Iran, after Swedish authorities refused his asylum request. He is being questioned by Sweden’s Immigration Police and risks deportation if his appeal is denied. Sweden wants the 33-year-old, who was born in the city of Kamyaran in Iran’s Kurdistan Province, deported to Bulgaria, where he arrived after fleeing Iran in 2008. Yosfi says he was forced to leave Iran because of his work with several Kurdish newspapers there, such as the weekly Sirwa, Kurdistan, The New Kurdistan, Chaweder and Herana, an activisit publication that focuses on human rights in Iran. Rudaw asked Yosfi why he fled Iran, what route he took and why he feared returning.
Rudaw: Why did you leave Iran?
Kayhan Yosfi: I had to, because of pressure and threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Due to my journalism work I had to leave Iran in the summer of 2008. For 10 years I have been fighting as a political activist for democracy and human rights in Iran. The regime has repeatedly threatened me. I fear being arrested and even hanged. Also, I fear for my family. They (Iranian authorities) know my family. My cousin was martyred and I have activists -- some jailed in Iranian prisons -- in my family. After I left Iran, my family was pressured and harassed.
How did you get to Sweden?
As refugees, we wanted to come to Europe and we came through an illegal route. The route was not decided by me and in fact I did not know what the route was. I went from Bulgaria to Serbia, where we were arrested by police and sent back to Bulgaria. There, we were beaten by police and held in custody for 12 days. I came to Sweden because I know it is a safe place for political activists and journalists. My only goal was to get to a safe place.
What is your situation now?
I am in prison, waiting to be tried. Fifteen days ago I was arrested by the Immigration Police in Sweden, in Gothenburg.
Why are you afraid of being returned to Bulgaria?
I'm very worried about my future and the possibility of returning to Bulgaria. It was in Bulgaria that I was beaten by police, who took some of my money. I lost my health in a Bulgarian prison. I am afraid Bulgaria will send me back to Iran, which is not a safe country for me: I can get arrested or even be killed.
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