Syrian refugee recounts harrowing tale of bribes, threats, sinkings
For one Syrian refugee, the journey to western Europe has been a harrowing tale of thefts, bribes extracted by border guards and surviving two boat sinkings as he and those with him crossed open seas.
Aladin, 24, describes his family's perilous journey from Damascus to Budapest
For one Syrian refugee, the journey to western Europe has been a harrowing tale of thefts, bribes extracted by border guards and surviving two boat sinkings as he and those with him crossed open seas.
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As well, he says, "there were things I can't talk about in front of the camera."
Interviewed Thursday by CBC's Nahlah Ayed at Keleti station in Budapest, the 24-year-old refugee, Aladin, describes how he and his family managed to get through Turkey, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia to Hungary on their way, they hope, to Austria, then Germany and a new life.
What they seek, he says, is simple: "We want our smile to get back to our faces."