Former Afghan Army Pilot Dies By Suicide In Iran After Facing Deportation

Mohammad Amir Tawasoli, a former pilot in the Afghan army, has died by suicide in Mashhad, Iran, after reportedly receiving an exit notice from Iranian authorities.

Sources told Afghanistan International that Tawasoli took his own life due to fear of deportation and potential reprisals by the Taliban upon return to Afghanistan.

Hamidreza Kafinia, head of Mashhad’s fire department, confirmed that a 40-year-old man died by self-immolation in a residential property in the Golshahr area of Mashhad on Sunday, 18 May. He stated the incident occurred around 12:52 pm and that the man had suffered fatal burns before emergency services arrived. Kafinia did not disclose the identity of the deceased.

According to sources, Tawasoli had visited the Kefalat office to renew his residency permit but was instead issued an exit notice. The reasons for the denial of his residency extension remain unclear. The pilot had reportedly lost hope following the rejection and ended his life shortly thereafter.

Mohammad Mohaqiq, a senior member of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, expressed sorrow over the incident. Mohaqiq, who recently led a delegation to Iran, said Iranian officials had pledged not to deport vulnerable Afghan migrants, including former military personnel and officials from the previous government.

He called on Iranian authorities to act with “Islamic mercy and compassion” in their treatment of Afghan migrants to prevent further tragedies.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, thousands of former Afghan military and government personnel sought refuge in Iran. Many now face deportation amid tightening regulations. While Iranian authorities reportedly provide a six-month residency extension for such individuals upon verification by international organisations, the renewal process remains fraught with challenges.

Several former officials who have returned to Afghanistan have reportedly faced arrest, persecution, or death at the hands of the Taliban.