'I kept asking myself why?'
The Independent|June 15, 2024
Holly Bancroft meets a Syrian refugee detained for 25 days at Gatwick for removal to Rwanda before being released on bail
Holly Bancroft
'I kept asking myself why?'

A Syrian refugee due to be deported from the UK on one of the first flights to Rwanda has spoken about the constant nightmares, anxiety and despair he experienced during 25 days in detention.

Mohammad Al Kharewsh, 25, said he kept questioning why he was among the first chosen and became increasingly depressed during his time in Gatwick detention centre.

His arrival in the UK in 2022 had seen him reunited with his brother, who was granted asylum in the UK as a minor, and the prospect of being separated again was “extremely intimidating”, he said.

Mohammad was one of more than 100 asylum seekers rounded up by the Home Office in May ahead of planned deportation flights to Rwanda.

The same day the Home Office released a video of asylum seekers being rounded up for deportation in a move Labour described as “a desperate attempt by the Tories to look tough”.

Many have now been released on bail after Rishi Sunak said that flights will only go ahead if he wins the 4 July election. Labour has pledged to scrap the £290m scheme if it wins the election.

Speaking at the office of a charity following his release on bail, Mohammad said he felt compelled to flee Syria in 2022 due to the pressure of joining either president Bashar al-Assad’s army or the resistance forces.

The UK used to have a dedicated resettlement route for those fleeing the Syrian war, but this ended in 2021, so there was no safe route to use.

Anyone who came to the UK irregularly after 1 January 2022, such as Mohammad who arrived via small boat, is in scope for removal to Rwanda under Mr Sunak’s scheme.

Mohammad, who has been living with his brother in Acton, was detained during a routine reporting visit to immigration on 1 May.

Esta historia es de la edición June 15, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 15, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE INDEPENDENTVer todo
STOLEN MOMENTS
The Independent

STOLEN MOMENTS

The antics of the gentleman thief in EW Hornung's 'Raffles' bring Anthony Quinn as much joy as when he was a child.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?
The Independent

Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?

The stand-up comedian's close-to-the-bone comedy makes Nikki Glaser the ideal choice to host tomorrow's Golden Globes. Move over, Ricky Gervais, writes Kevin E G Perry

time-read
6 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'
The Independent

'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'

Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall is newly solo with a debut electropop hit to her name. She talks to Annabel Nugent about the downside of fame and how she's never feared 'clapping back'

time-read
10 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy
The Independent

The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy

The tech billionaire's move to support the AfD is proof he is determined to unsettle a nation that knows all too well what far-right dictatorship can bring, writes John Kampfner

time-read
4 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit
The Independent

Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit

Arne Slot has claimed that the saga about Trent AlexanderArnold's future is helpful to him as it prevents his Liverpool players from being overloaded with praise that could make them complacent.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim
The Independent

United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim

When Ruben Amorim got to convey good news, it still came with a demand.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game
The Independent

Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game

Whether he beat or lost to Michael van Gerwen on the Alexandra Palace stage on Friday night, Luke Littler was al going to leave his second World Darts Championship as a winner.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17
The Independent

Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17

Darts has a new world champion, and he's a 17-year-old boy from Warrington.

time-read
4 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout
The Independent

The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout

Don't tell Liam and Noel, but the biggest entertainment event of 2025 won't be their reunion, it'll be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 04, 2025
Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists
The Independent

Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists

A group of economists have warned that the Treasury is likely to raise taxes even further this year, despite an expectation that the country will return to growth in 2025.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 04, 2025