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‘I was dragged out my home during a dawn raid when I was just 15’

12 March 2019

Agnesa Murselaj was only 11 when she left Kosovo in 2000 and came to Scotland as an asylum seeker.

Five years later, early one morning, immigration officers removed her from her home and took her to an English detention centre.

Speaking to Our Story, Agnesa remembered that day’s affecting events.

Glasgow Girl Agnesa Murselaj

Agnesa Murselaj shares her powerful story of what it's like to go through the dawn raid.

“When they came in there was about 11 police officers with bulletproof [vests] and I think they had guns. A stranger coming into your room when you’re asleep …it just takes me back to Kosovo and what happened there.”

The friends of Agnesa who petitioned for her release captured the attention of the media, who dubbed them The Glasgow Girls.

The Glasgow Girls reunion

10 years after the dawn raid, the seven Glasgow Girls reflected on the effect their actions had.

They watched news and documentary footage charting their efforts to help Agnesa, clips from the musical their story inspired and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three dramatisation based around Agnesa’s detention.

Glasgow Girls – the musical

Cora Bissett and David Greig wrote a critically acclaimed drama which toured around the UK and internationally. (From 2016)

Meeting Agnesa’s friends

Elaine C Smith met three girls from Glasgow whose campaign to prevent their friend being deported attracted worldwide attention.​​ (From 2014)

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