Iranian painter Yaghoubi faces threat of deportation

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Termeh Yaghoubi's lawyer's objection to detention was rejected.

Yaghoubi, a painter from Iran residing in Bursa, Türkiye was detained while on holiday in Fethiye on February 7.

She was taken to Muğla Ula Repatriation Centre. A deportation decision was given for Yaghoubi without showing any justification and without even an interrogation.

"I don't know why I am here"

Yaghoubi told Ekmek ve Gül portal what happened.

"This place is not even a prison. I have not committed any crimes to come here. I am a painter. Painting is the only work that I do. I speak with my paintings. Why does this bother anyone? My lawyers objected to the detention. They did not ask me one question, they did not allow me to defend myself. I still do not know why I am here."

"Nobody should be staying in this kind of place"

Yaghoubi also reflected on the conditions in the Ula Repatriation Centre.

"This is a torture center. There is one bed for every two people and it stinks everywhere. The blankets have not been washed for months and they smell awful. There is no hygiene whatsoever. There is no hot water and I got a hoarse voice because I took shower with cold water. I am very ill. It is freezing here."

"Many women here do not have identity cards. They were detained while trying to pass the border and brought here. There are women who are in this center for 6 months. Nobody should be staying in this kind of place," says Yaghoubi.

Termeh Yaghoubi's lawyer Özlem Kortel explains that they have both objected to the detention decision and opened a case for the cancellation of the deportation. If their objection to detention was accepted, it would speed up the process, but it was rejected. They are concerned about Yaghoubi's health. (EMK/PE)