Local sources have reported that a Chechen family is facing the threat of deportation from Austria to Russia.

According to the information, Musa Malinkov, who is 30 year old, his wife Malika, their 3 year old son Rasul and 8 month old daughter Rayana have just had their asylum request denied by the Asylum Court and were asked to leave Austria voluntarily within 14 days. The court found Musa’s story incredible. In fact, Musa was an active supporter of the Chechen National Liberation Movement and for this reason he was abducted from his house and tortured in a prison for days. Musa’s father paid a bribe and bought his freedom but they could not remain in their homeland and were forced to leave the Russian occupied Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in 2010. Since then, they have lived in Austria. Musa graduated from a language course in the city of St Pölten where he also serves as a sports coach at a local youth center. Moreover, he has a job offer which means that if the Austrian authorities let them remain in the country, the family can afford to live without social welfare.

On October 7, many local residents including representatives from different parties in the town of Waidhofen gathered in front of the Malinkov family home to draw attention to the plight of the family. The protesters said that if they do not receive refugee status, it is still possible for them to be provided with a humanitarian right to stay, especially for such a well integrated family.

“We want to do everything possible because their deportation is dangerous for Musa” said Social Councilor Thomas Krall.

Local people announced a new demonstration in support of the Malinkov family on October 14, at 5:00 PM local time at “Solidaritätsversammlung beim Haus Unterzellerstrasse 1”.

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