Sweden: Saddam bodyguard to be deported

Sweden: Saddam bodyguard to be deported


In a similar case in Belgium recently, a 31 year old Iraqi requested asylum saying he was a former torturer in Saddam's prisons and risked persecution back home. The Belgian authorities rejected his request, but decided he would be risking his life if returned to Iraq. The man had come from Turkey, who refused to accept him. He was given a deportation order and released - leaving the authorities to hope he will indeed deport himself. (Le Monde)


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An Iraqi man who claimed to have worked as a bodyguard for Saddam Hussein is to be deported from Sweden despite findings by the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket) that his life is at risk if he returns to Iraq.


The government decided to deport the 45-year-old man because the Swedish security service Säpo judges the man to be a security risk, according to Sveriges Radio (SR).


The man came to Sweden in 2003, and his wife and sons have all been granted permanent residency.


The man explained in his asylum application that he had worked as a bodyguard for the family of the deposed Iraqi leader, as well as in a secret court where prisoners were tortured.


In a 2006 decision, the Migration Board wrote that it would be dangerous for the 45-year-old to return to Iraq.


“It can’t be ruled out that the man may be recognized and as a result subject to extrajudicial measures directed at his person or his life,” wrote the Migration Board.


But the man is nevertheless set to be deported from Sweden because of Säpo’s assessment.


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Source: The Local (English)