Abduction of British and Turkish Nationals in Nairobi Raises Concerns

A British national and several Turkish citizens were reportedly abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, by armed individuals. The British national, Necdet Seyitoğlu, was freed after showing his passport, while four Turkish nationals remain missing. Kenyan authorities are investigating the incident, which raises concerns about political persecution against Turkish nationals.

A British national and a number of Turkish citizens were reportedly abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, by masked assailants on Friday. Among those taken, four Turkish citizens remain unaccounted for, according to Necdet Seyitoğlu, a British national who had been living in Kenya since 2021 after residing in the UK for 18 years. Mr. Seyitoğlu claimed he was released after eight hours of captivity when he was able to demonstrate his British citizenship by presenting his passport to his captors. Following the incident, the UK Foreign Office confirmed that they were providing consular support to Mr. Seyitoğlu and his family. Kenyan authorities are currently investigating the situation, following a report from a motorcycle taxi driver who witnessed the act of kidnapping. The police reported that two vehicles forcibly halted a silver saloon car containing Mr. Seyitoğlu and another individual, leading to the armed assailants emerging from the vehicles and abducting the men. The police spokesperson, Resila Onyango, detailed how the assailants were heavily armed and made a swift getaway with the captives. Mr. Seyitoğlu recounted that a white SUV intercepted their vehicle while he and a friend were en route to work. They were both blindfolded, handcuffed, and taken to an undisclosed location without receiving any information regarding their abduction. He described it as the most harrowing experience of his life and stated, “We asked them, can you show your identification? Where are we going? But we did not get any kind of explanation.” After showing his passport, the abductors received a call, which Mr. Seyitoğlu interpreted as directions to release him. He was subsequently dropped off at an unfamiliar location after the assailants provided him with money for transportation but withheld his phone and laptop. Additionally, Mr. Seyitoğlu indicated that six other Turkish nationals had been similarly abducted from different locations within Nairobi. A local law firm representing four of the victims, who are registered refugees, cautioned airlines against facilitating their deportation back to Turkey, where they would be vulnerable to political persecution—an assertion reinforced by Amnesty International, expressing grave concern regarding the safety of the seven asylum seekers taken in Kenya. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also acknowledged the reports and plans to provide further insights.

The abduction of foreign nationals in Kenya raises significant concerns about safety and human rights, particularly for Turkish citizens who may be viewed as political targets. This incident appears to be a calculated effort aimed at deporting individuals who are potentially fleeing persecution in Turkey. The codifying of reports from various human rights agencies and legal entities demonstrates a growing awareness and urgency surrounding the treatment of asylum seekers in Kenya, as well as the precariousness of refugee status amid allegations of political violence.

This alarming incident underscores the dangers faced by individuals seeking refuge in foreign countries. The reported abductions highlight risks associated with political persecution and the challenges that foreign nationals, particularly those from Turkey, encounter in Kenya. The responses from international authorities emphasize the necessity for vigilance regarding the safety of asylum seekers and the need for protective measures to ensure their well-being.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk