Kashmir Pen News Desk
Srinagar, October 7: Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh, known for his award-winning film Saffron Kingdom, is set to be released after spending nearly two weeks in detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Sheikh was detained at Washington Dulles International Airport despite, according to his lawyer and supporters, having valid immigration documentation. His lawyer and supporters have questioned the circumstances of his detention and raised concerns over what they described as an unwarranted action.
Arfat Sheikh is the son of the late Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, a renowned Kashmiri singer whose life ended under mysterious circumstances in Punjab while he was travelling by train.
Arfat and his sibling have been living in the United States for several years. His detention has drawn attention among the Kashmiri community, particularly in view of his filmmaking career and family’s contribution to Kashmiri music and culture.
His expected release follows nearly two weeks in ICE custody, while his lawyer and supporters continue to seek clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding his detention.
