A YOUNG Chechen Muslim, who fled discrimination in Russia before gaining refugee status in Ireland in 2003, has described as “unacceptable” an alleged comment made to him by a detective garda at Dublin Airport about his travel being “suspicious”.
Zaurbek Musaev, who works as a freelance interpreter with Lionbridge and lives in Dublin, told Metro Eireann that when he was returning from a trip to the UK in May, a detective garda at Dublin Airport noticed that his travel document and GNIB card were both out of date by a number of weeks, in what Musaev says was a mistake on his part.
“I take the responsibility for that,” he said, “but it was a genuine mistake.”
The Chechen’s papers were taken by the detective garda, who arranged an appointment with Musaev at a later date. According to Musaev, the meeting was arranged for 14 June last. “I was co-operative and open regarding everything he asked me,” he said, “but was taken aback when he concluded the meeting by stating ‘it is very suspicious, you travel too much’.”
Musaev, whose wears a type of beard which would mark him out as Muslim, said he has travelled abroad on seven occasions since receiving travel documents after his designation as a refugee in Ireland in March 2003. He said that in May he travelled to the UK as he is interested in undertaking further studies there, and that he also views travel as a way of self-development.
“I’ve been to Belgium, Vienna; I like travelling,” he said. “Ireland has a very small Chechen community, there are very few here, but in other places such as Belgium there is a large Chechen community – I travel even for that, and for some cultural events. I was given a travel document, what’s the point in having it if there is a limit?”
He added that he has also visited the UK to represent Ireland at Olympic wrestling.
Musaev said that as a Chechen who had experienced major prejudice in the past, the alleged comment from the garda – although not on the same scale as previous negative experiences – “reminded” him of earlier discrimination of Chechens by Russian authorities.
“Human rights standards in Ireland are different and that’s why I feel it is not acceptable,” he said.
Asked if he thinks his Muslim identity could have played a part in the garda’s suspicions, he said it was something he was considering but that he is proud of his religion. “It’s something I like to maintain,” he said of his religious identity. “And it’s something that I appreciate [being able to maintain in Ireland]. I’m grateful.”
He concluded that the garda had said the Department of Justice would be in touch, but he has heard nothing. “I would like the [travel] document back,” he added.
The Garda Press Office had not issued a comment by press time.
