IT was a bittersweet send off for former British Army Afghan war veteran Iowane Koroveibau who bid farewell to his family at the Nadi International Airport on Friday to return to the United Kingdom after eight years.
The 36-year-old was among former British Army soldiers represented by the Commonwealth Neglected veterans Campaign which fought for the soldier’s right to remain in the UK after serving with the army.
Earlier this year Mr Koroveibau won his case against the British Army and was granted leave to return to the UK.
He said he was grateful to God for everything that has happened.
“I’m feeling a bit emotional and humble as well and I thank the Lord for bringing us this far,” he said.
“Within those eight years it was really tough but the support of my family and my strong belief in God got me through this far.
“I want to work for a bit and just to try and get my wife and children to come over. I also want to thank the Lord for the Commonwealth Neglected Veterans group for fighting for me. We had gone through some ups and downs but we stuck together and managed to achieve this together.”
Commonwealth Neglected Veterans Campaign co-founder Esita Tuimanu said Iowane was one of five Fijians allowed back into the UK.
“This is a very big victory for us,” Ms Tuimanu said.
“Most of them when they come back they return with nothing so it wasn’t fair for them to start from ground zero when they returned to Fiji.
“We have been fighting for them against the British Army who we believe had a responsibility to look after them after they served the army. Iowane is only the first of the many cases that we are fighting for and we hope to achieve similar results.”
