The Iranian newspaper “Sharq” has reported that Kubra Ghulami, an Afghan researcher and activist, is set to be deported to Afghanistan despite having all the necessary residency documents for living in Iran.
The report cited that Ghulami’s passport was revoked by the Iranian government without any legal or judicial process, allegedly due to issues related to hijab. This move has raised significant concerns, given the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on women in Afghanistan. Activists have expressed worries about the threats Ghulami might face upon her return, with many sharing her picture on social media.
A friend of Ghulami, who wished to remain anonymous, told “Sharq” that Ghulami contacted them from a camp. “She received a hijab-related SMS and went to the Foreign Nationals Office to renew her residence card. After two months of follow-up, she was contacted today and asked to come in person. When she arrived, her passport was revoked, and she was told that because she had a judicial ruling, she had to be deported from Iran,” her friend said.
According to her friend, Kubra Ghulami was deported alone, without her family. Iranian officials have not yet commented on the issue.
