Bring Ullubeygadzhi Khasbulatov home
A father of four trapped in Turkey with deteriorating health due to mistaken identity. Write to the FCDO demanding his return to the UK
Ullubeygadzhi Khasbulatov is a husband and father of four children with whom he is close to. He came to the UK as a refugee and has lived in the country since 2011 where he worked as a wrestling coach and supported his family. Presently he has indefinite leave to
remain status.
After undergoing surgery abroad, he was transiting through Turkey where he was detained. The investigation is based solely on an allegation that he resembles a man from Iraq who, according to Iraqi authorities, was killed in a counter-terrorism operation in 2022. Yet, Ullubeygadzhi has been stuck in Turkey under a travel ban for almost seven months despite being innocent of any crime. A court-ordered forensic facial comparison confirmed that he and the Iraqi individual are not the same person.
Ullubeygadzhi has been unable to return home to his family, resume his work, or complete the mandatory medical follow-up and rehabilitation required after surgery. As a result, his health has deteriorated and the precarious circumstances have caused psychological, emotional, and financial difficulties for him and his family. In the time since being forced to remain in Turkey, he has lost over 10kg as he is unable to facilitate his recovery plan.
Ullubeygadzhi requires immediate medical assistance and medication, which he is currently not receiving. He also needs to be examined by the doctor who performed his surgery as he is continuing to experience discomfort in the area where the operation was conducted. So far the British have failed to support Ullubeygadzhi and must take immediate action.
Call to action
Write to the FCDO to demand its intervention in the case of Ullubeygadzhi Khasbulatov. He must be reunited with his family and receive urgent medical care and the UK has a responsibility to ensure these needs are met.
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To whom it may concern,
I am writing urgently in relation to Ullubeygadzhi Khasbulatov, a refugee in the care of the UK who is currently being held without access to adequate medical care in Turkey.
Mr. Khasbulatov, a 50-year-old father of four, has been prevented from leaving Turkey for almost seven months, due to Turkish authorities imposing a travel ban on him. During this time, his health has seriously deteriorated. He is unable to afford crucial food and care required for his healthy recovery from his surgery, and has lost over 10kg during this period as a result.
Mr Khasbulatov is being held in Turkey on spurious and unsubstantiated grounds, with the basis of the allegation against him being based on his identity. The authorities are claiming he is an Iraqi man who is reportedly deceased. The Turkish authorities have been unable to provide any evidence that they are the same person, and yet the UK Government refuses to vouch for him or intervene.
I am therefore specifically requesting that:
- In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 25 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which the UK is signatory to, consular services are offered to Mr Khasbulatov immediately; and
- Mr Khasbulatov’s identity is confirmed by the UK Government, and his return to the UK is immediately arranged.
This situation is urgent, as Mr Khasbulatov’s health continues to decline, and he is continually prevented from returning to his family.
I await your prompt reply on this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,
