The man who has been stranded in the airport terminal for more than 60 days
A man has been stuck at an airport in Malaysia for two months after he refused to fight in his country’s troubled civil war.
Hassan al-Kontar has been stranded in terminal two of Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport for more than 60 days.
In a video posted online last Sunday, the marketing manager, from Syria, said: “The other day I was speaking to my mother and she said my hair is too messy and my beard is too long, which reflects in her opinion that I’m not OK.
“I tried to convince her that I’m OK but I did not succeed.
“I’m worried that all of me will be covered in hair before I get out of here.”
The 36-year-old first emigrated to the UAE on a work permit in 2006, but faced a summons to return home and fight in 2012 after war broke out in the previous year.
After ignoring the summons, the Syrian embassy refused to renew Mr Kontar’s passport, resulting in him losing his work permit and job.
just another day at the airport #syrian_stuck_at_airport #mystory_Hassan #airport_is_my_home#سوري_عالق_بمطار_كوالالمبور_الدولي pic.twitter.com/VJNyITILkf
— Hassan Al Kontar (@Kontar81) May 7, 2018
Plz retweet
I have Some good news and I need your help all of you to make it happen.
Please send an email to Mr. Ahmed Hussen – Canada's Minister of Immigration.
"ahmed.hussen@parl.gc.ca"
Tell him you support a Temporary Resident Permit for Hassan to come to Canada immediately pic.twitter.com/Wmpb2CSsHU— Hassan Al Kontar (@Kontar81) April 27, 2018
He then went into hiding for six years, but was eventually deported to Malaysia on a three-month work permit when authorities finally caught up with him.
When the three months nearly came to an end, Mr Kontar tried to travelled to Ecuador but was refused entry on the flight – which came at the same time that his visa expired.
Despite unsuccessfully attempting to fly to Cambodia, he has existed in flux in Kuala Lumpur’s airport ever since.
It is hoped that his Twitter appeals will result in a breakthrough, with Canadian supporters urging their immigration minister to notice Mr Kontar’s case.
He has also been contacted by the UN High Commissioner for refugees.