The first evacuation plane from Afghanistan landed in Prague. The Taliban apparently could not bear and then released one of the interpreters
The interpreter, who was abducted by an Afghan militia, was released, according to the Poppies Association. He is beaten, now he is on the run, the association said on Facebook.
According to the association, another of the Czech Army’s collaborators is hiding within reach of the airport. On the other hand, the Ministry of Defense invited two other former interpreters, who were not originally there, to the evacuation flight.
The Vlčí máky association is asking the government to release all former Czech army interpreters who can still get to the airport.
There were 46 people on board the first evacuation plane
The first evacuation plane arrived from Afghanistan this morning, with 46 Czechs or Afghan colleagues on board. Another evacuation machine started in Kabul in the morning. The Czechia promised to help local co-workers of the Czech embassy and interpreters with a valid contract with the Czech army, who passed the security check.
“Unfortunately, those who were not contacted either did not meet the requirements or were excluded from the approved program by the government. They could pose a security risk for the Czech Republic,” said Jana Zechmeisterová, spokeswoman for the ministry.
In recent days, the Czech government has been criticized for its slow response. Critics also point out that the aid does not apply to all Afghan interpreters.
In the past, the Czechia has helped Afghan interpreters, but the program was canceled in 2017. According to experts, those cooperating with coalition troops are in danger of death, and their families are also at risk.
Given the situation, Hamáček considers the departure of the Czech plane a miracle
According to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Eva David, the situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating. The Taliban controlled virtually the entire country, including Kabul.
“Those evacuated people are in danger of life and unfortunately we have only a part of the Czech Republic that the Czech Republic has decided to evacuate from Afghanistan. Given the developments at Kabul Airport, it is not at all certain what the next developments will be in the coming hours or days.”
Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček (CSSD) said that he considered the departure of the Czech plane to be a miracle, given the rapidly deteriorating situation at Kabul International Airport. The state representatives did not state how many evacuation flights are planned.
The Save Interpreters initiative called on the Prime Minister to help all Afghans who worked for the Czech state
Magda Faltová from the Save Refugees initiative stated that a large number of co-workers and their families have no information from the Ministry of Defense.
“The Ministry or the Czech Republic came into contact with only some of them. It was one third who were offered help.”
As Miroslava Pašková added on Czech Television, among those rejected are co-workers who no longer have a contract but have worked for the Czech side for eight to nine years, and they are in danger.
The Save Interpreters initiative therefore asks the government to tell them how many interpreters it has employed, how many of them have been offered relocation to the Czech Republic or another country, and how many are currently in contact.
She called on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (YES) to help all Afghans who worked for the Czech state. they are probably waiting in front of Kabul Airport for help. Some of them are considering suicide to avoid torture the Taliban, the association said on Facebook.
In a joint statement, the governments of more than 60 countries are calling for continued operations at Afghan airports, roads and border crossings so that locals and foreigners alike can leave Afghanistan. The Czech Republic is among the countries that have joined the statement.