Ayse and Battal Battaloglu lived in Turkey until 2016 and 2017. When they began to engage in political activism in their home country, it resulted in legal action – which caused them to leave for Sweden. Here they have had two children and Battal has worked during his almost seven years in the country.
"We didn't have any heavier political work, it was mostly about the rights of the Kurdish language," Battaloglu said.
Work permit denied for safety reasons
In the latest decision from the Swedish Migration Agency, they have been granted a temporary residence permit, but have not been granted a work permit – so that they cannot establish themselves in Sweden.
The background to the decision is that the Swedish Security Service has made an examination that resulted in the assessment that his work permit should be denied for security reasons.
Is there anything in that?
"If we have done something dangerous for Sweden's security, they are welcome to tell us or try us in court," Battaloglu said.
"Becomes a bit catch-22"
According to the Swedish Migration Board, Battal Battaloglu has been granted a residence permit in Sweden solely because he cannot be deported at present, due to the risk of pressure in Turkey.
"There will be a bit of catch-22. When the residence permit expires, a new examination will be made, says Jesper Tengroth, press officer at the Swedish Migration Agency.
SAPO responds
SAPO does not comment on individual cases – but says that they act as a referral body to the Migration Agency in such cases.
SVT has reviewed the documents that form the basis for the revoked work permit. They show that SAPO considers Battal Battaloglu to pose "a risk to public order and security".
"When it comes to extradition cases, we only look at whether a person is a security threat or not," says Fredrik Hultgren-Friberg, press spokesman at the Swedish Security Service.
In the clip above: Ayse and Battal Battaloglu talk about how this decision affects their life situation.