Six Afghan athletes ‘missing and seeking asylum’ after Australia Invictus Games

Over half of Afghanistan’s team in the Invictus Games have gone missing in Australia in what is thought to be an attempt at seeking asylum.

The five athletes and one official did not arrive at the airport to fly home on October 28 and their whereabouts is now unknown.

‘One of them said when he came and saw the people here… basically it was his first time coming out of the country, being in a safe… environment,’ said Mirwais Ramaki, a volunteer who helped the Afghans during the Games.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

‘My understanding is they never had the intention to stay, but this 10 days changed their perceptions.’

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.DJ Khaled involved in another jet ski incident but this time he saves his mate

It is thought the athletes hold visas to remain in Australia until the end of November and have not yet breached the conditions of their permits.

The six appeared to take off after the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Sydney on Saturday, October 27.

The Afghan team had only been able to compete as a result of funding organised by the Games’ main sponsor, Jaguar Land Rover.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

‘Rumours were circulating they planned to claim asylum,’ a source stated.

‘Now every effort is being made to contact them.’

This year’s Invictus Games, a tradition started by Prince Harry four years ago, ran from October 20 to 27 in Australia, with 500 athletes taking part from 18 nations across the globe.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Baby repeatedly 'brought back from death' due to mystery condition

The Department of Home Affairs in Australia has said: ‘The competitors and officials may remain lawfully in Australia until the expiry of their visas.’

This is not the first time athletes have attempted to seek asylum in Australia after coming to the country for a sporting event.

Earlier this year almost 200 athletes and officials from nations such as Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Uganda attempted to continue their stay after the Commonwealth Games.

The country issued 13,600 visas to athletes and team officials for the event in April 2018.

Immigration authorities then told a parliament committee that 8,103 people arrived on the visas but only 7,848 left afterwards.