Zarina is thrown out of Norway

Zarina has a partner, works as an illustrator and remembers little of her home country. Now she has a week to leave Norway, because of her mother’s lie.

NRK has previously told the story of Zarina Saidova.

When she was 13, she and her mother left everything in their home country. Kazakhstan was replaced by Norway and Leirfjord.

– I had to say that I was from Chechnya, Zarina told NRK in September.

UDI thought Zarina should have told about the lie when she turned 18 and expelled her.

Now a panel of three people in the UDI has dealt with the complaint. The facet? One person thought she should be allowed to stay, two people thought she must be thrown out.

Must travel out by May 1

The immigration authorities have decided that on 1 May she must be out of Norway.

– I got three weeks. I have work and exhibitions that just have to be put aside. I have to say goodbye to friends, says Zarina to NRK and adds:

– I have to say goodbye to Joakim. Every second counts now.

– Completely wrong decision

Zarina’s lawyer, Felix Oliver Helle, believes the decision is wrong.

– Of greatest importance is that she came to Norway as a 13-year-old and that it was her mother who gave a false explanation on her behalf. Decisive weight must be added, he says to NRK.

Receives support from own industry organisation

In a statement, Grafill, the Norwegian organization for visual communication, is very critical of Zaidova being thrown out of the country.

– Saidova is a very successful and award-winning illustrator and cartoonist. She has lived in Norway for 19 years and is a firebrand in Grafill and one of our most active volunteers (…) It is a real shame for Norway and the professional community that we are losing such a great talent and a great resource person, and not least Zarina is leaving a faces an uncertain future when she has to put a brilliant career as an illustrator and cartoonist on hold and start over in a country she has no professional connection to.