Today in Focus Why thousands of Afghans were secretly relocated to the UK
17 snips
Jul 18, 2025 
Dan Sabbagh, The Guardian's Defence and Security Editor, dives into the troubling implications of a significant data leak affecting Afghan evacuees. The conversation reveals how over 18,000 individuals had their personal information compromised, heightening risks for those seeking asylum. Sabbagh discusses the government's controversial use of a super injunction to suppress media coverage of the breach, raising discussions about transparency. He highlights the struggles faced by Afghan resettlers in the UK, emphasizing their resilience and need for greater support.
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Marzia's Escape and Warnings
- Marzia Babakur-Hale, a former Afghan judge and women's rights advocate, fled Afghanistan due to Taliban threats.
- She received emails warning about a government data leak risking Afghan asylum seekers' lives.
Massive Data Leak Exposed
- A 2022 MoD data leak exposed personal details of 18,700 Afghans applying for UK asylum.
- This included sensitive info like endorsers' details, endangering lives and stirring government panic.
Secret Super Injunction Imposed
- The government obtained a secret super injunction to block media reporting on the data breach.
- This suppressed public knowledge and parliamentary discussion for over two years.