Shvan Mohammed Mahmood

Shvan Mohammed Mahmood, 33

Shvan is a 33 years old Iraqi man. He had been in Turkey a few days when - on July 24, 2024 - he decided to leave with a group of 9 people to cross the Bulgarian border accompanied by 2 guides.

However, the Bulgarian Police intercepted the group and pushbacked it over the Turkish border on July 27. In addition to suffering from diabetes, Shvan has a screw surgically applied to his tibia, which he had fractured a few months earlier. The journey on foot through the border woods was very long and as the hours passed, the pain in his leg became unbearable: Shvan could no longer walk, and the guides decided to continue, leaving him behind in a desolate area not far from Malkoçlar.

Shvan's father, Mohammad, having no more news, decided to go to Turkey in person. On September 4th he went to look for his son in Edirne Detention Centre, bringing with him a photo. Some guests claimed to have seen him, saying however that he had been transferred elsewhere. The police refused to give Mohammad any information, denied him access to the camp and invited him not to come back anymore. After 5 days, having not found any kind of logistical or legal support, the father returned to Iraq.

Months have passed, Shvan’s sister writes that her mother has not stopped crying yet.

A detail from the letter written by the father, seeking help in the search for his son.