Swedish Radio has reported that local residents have organized a protest against the Swedish authority’s decision to extradite the Tankaeva family.

According to the information, on October 6 about 30 people gathered at Sundsvall Square in the city of Sundsvall, Sweden to express their support for a Chechen asylum seeking family, the Tankaevas, and to protest the extradition decision of the Swedish Migration Office. The protesters signed a petition to be sent to the Migration Office and the Migration Minister, Tobias Billstörm.

“I am here because I believe that it is an absurd decision. I think that it is important to gather in person to show that you do not agree with their decisions and create influence over the decision makers, even if it may seem vague and difficult. Still, you must do what you can and get involved. Also, it shows Tamila that we believe this is wrong and for this reason we are engaged in her case,” said Sara Linderoth, who organized the protest and knows the family after working on a project with them while in school.

Recall that Tamila Tankaeva, her 15-year old daughter Madina, who suffers from Down’s Syndrome, and her adult son, Askhab fled the Russian occupied Chechen Republic of Ichkeria due to rights abuses that they faced and ongoing direct threats to their lives. But their asylum request has been rejected by the Swedish Migration Office. Also, Tamila started a hunger strike in protest of the decision but, after 11 days she had to stop due to health concerns after her doctors demanded it.

*Text was written by Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco