Niloofar Rahmani was supposed to return to Kabul over the weekend after a much-publicised stint of 15 months' training with the US Air Force
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A row has broken out over reports of an asylum request in the US by Afghanistan’s first female fighter pilot.
Niloofar Rahmani was supposed to return to Kabul over the weekend after a much-publicised stint of 15 months’ training with the US Air Force.
But the 25-year-old – nicknamed in the American media as the “Afghan Top Gun” – surprised officials in her home country amid reports that she has applied for political asylum.
Rahmani was quoted as saying her life would be in danger if she returned home, with threats made against her and her family, but the Afghan military denies there is any risk.
Afghan military asks U.S. to deny asylum request from female pilot, saying “she lied by saying she was threatened” https://t.co/9Dx95qd76X
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 26, 2016
Officials in Kabul are urging US authorities to reject the asylum request, claiming that Rahmani has “lied” to try to win residency.
The pilot has been celebrated in the US as an example of how women’s rights can be advanced in countries like Afghanistan and in 2015 she was awarded with the State Department’s Women of Courage award.
Afghan Captain Niloofar Rahmani presented with International Women. #NiloofarRahmani
Nilofar_Rahmani</a> <a href="http://t.co/U02ffIwfcy">pic.twitter.com/U02ffIwfcy</a></p>— Niloofar Rahmani (Nilofar_Rahmani) April 21, 2015
First female Afghan AF pilot's message to Trump: I fight against extremists https://t.co/JKmItWby0s
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) December 26, 2016
First female pilot in the Afghan air force seeks asylum in US over Taliban death threats https://t.co/h5dKu7CkKN pic.twitter.com/v2Qclrl6tW
— The Times of London (@thetimes) December 27, 2016
Afghan woman pilot's asylum bid in the US sparks fervent debate https://t.co/wphJeAXJYg pic.twitter.com/rQEuV4PWwL
— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 26, 2016