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‘Free, I’m free!’: The day I was released from refugee detention
After being held for eight years by Australia’s government, an Afghan refugee celebrates his chance at a new life.
Ahmad Zahir Azizi sits at his kitchen table beaming at the camera, barely able to contain his laughter, as he speaks over a video call.
- Zoe Osborne
- Al Jazeera
Just weeks earlier, he was released from immigration detention in Australia and granted a temporary bridging visa after more than eight years in state custody.
I had interviewed Azizi via video call countless times before, but never had I seen him smile like this, let alone laugh. Every time we saw one another, he seemed broken. I thought he had given up.
Now, I smile with him, and ask: “Can you tell me again about the day that you were released?”
Azizi gets up, closes…