Taleban fighter granted asylum

Taleban fighters were in conflict with the Northern Alliance

An ex-fighter for the Taleban who applied for asylum while living in Wales was granted permission to stay in Britain eight months ago, it was revealed on Sunday.

The man, in his late 30s, said his life would be at risk if he went back to Afghanistan, according to his solicitor Hanif Bhamjee, of Cardiff firm Crowley & Co.

The news came two days after a Conservative AM called for a different former Taleban fighter who has also applied for asylum to be deported.

He feared for his life if he went back to Afghanistan

Hanif Bhamjee

Mr Bhamjee is dealing with both this case and a third one of a man who claimed to have fought for both the Taleban and the Northern Alliance, who fought with British and American troops.

He said the man who was given permission to stay came to the UK after fleeing Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul in November 2001.

"He was granted asylum while living in Cardiff," Mr Bhamjee said.

"He feared for his life if he went back to Afghanistan.

"He told me he had made his application in Dover and was dispersed to Cardiff."

The solicitor said he had seen wounds on the man's arms and legs which the man claimed to have received while fighting for the Taleban.

Nick Bourne: 'Man should be sent back'

"They looked like bullet wounds.

"I suspect he has now gone to one of the big cities, such as Birmingham or Manchester."

Mr Bhamjee believed the current asylum applications he was dealing with would probably be refused.

"One of the problems is that the UK Government is of the opinion that the situation in Afghanistan has stabilised but whether it has is another question," he said.

A Welsh Refugee Council spokesman said it was "exceptional" that the man granted asylum had been allowed to remain in Britain.

On Friday, Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Assembly Conservatives, called on the home secretary, David Blunkett, to block the request of one of the Taleban fighters to stay in Britain.

Mr Jones was asked for help with asylum

The man had said he was forced to fight for the Taleban against his will and feared being killed by the Northern Alliance if he returned to Afghanistan.

The case came to light after he asked his local MP, Jon Owen Jones, for help to speed up his asylum application.

Mr Jones immediately raised the matter with Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Mr Bourne said he found the case "utterly incredible".

"We really should not be loading the dice against our own security forces and people and this man should be sent back."

He has called on First Minister Rhodri Morgan to make a statement to the assembly during Tuesday's plenary session.