From bitcoin dreamer to fugitive, fleeing the Taliban for Turkey

Muhammad Ali, an Afghan migrant from Khost who planned to found his own cryptocurrency mining business, center, and the other migrants hide from security forces after crossing illegally into Turkey from Iran, near Tatvan in Bitlis province, Turkey August 23, 2021. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

TATVAN, Turkey (Reuters) - Muhammad Ali said he dreamt of building a cryptocurrency business before the Taliban began its sweep through Afghanistan, forcing him into a daunting journey west through Iran and Turkey, evading border guards and security searches as he went.

The Taliban victory in Afghanistan has raised concern in Turkey, a staging post for many migrants trying to reach Europe and already home to nearly 4 million Syrians, of a new influx of refugees. It has ramped up security on its border https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-turkey-migrants-idAFKBN2FN0HS with Iran - but some Afghans are still getting through.