Experts on countries of origin by country

Political-economy scholar and former political and security-risk analyst at S&P Global with a decade of experience in the public and private sectors, mapping armed-group threats and security force vulnerabilities (including corruption and human rights violations) to advise governments and large investors on business-operating risks. Ex–Army intelligence officer, skilled in producing tailored, structured, and evidence-based reports on Iraq and Syria under tight deadlines.

Criminologist and gender expert with over 15 years of experience advising the United Nations, academia, and international organisations on gender justice, conflict sensitivity, human rights, social inclusion, and vulnerable populations, including in Syria, Ukraine, across the Middle East and Central Asia. Specialist in gender-based violence, policing and security services, prisons and the criminal justice sector, women’s and children’s rights, and victim-centred approaches. Proven track record of working in politically sensitive and fragile settings, and of authoring reports for private companies, ministries and UN offices. Fluent in Arabic and Ukrainian. 

I earned my PhD in Kurdish Studies, University of Exeter this April. I awarded Mphil in Iranian Studies (2019) and MSc in Middle East Politics (2017). With the support of some friends, I have established an institute focusing on democratic developments in the Middle East.

Our main services will be to provide professional advice and reports to the courts, solicitors, and the Home Office case workers. I can offer impartial, evidence-based, and fresh analysis of the socio-political situations in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, including the governments and societies within these countries. I am in contact with people from these countries, ranging from ordinary individuals to lecturers, journalists, and lawyers. I am also in partnership with universities, institutions, and research centres within the region and globally, which work on Middle Eastern politics and its social changes.

Alongside my research and academic activities, I am active on social media, with 21,000 followers on Facebook, 63,000 on Instagram, and 89,000 on X (formerly Twitter), mainly from Iran and Iraq. The reason for this influence is that I have been a public figure on Farsi and Kurdish TV Channels (based in London) since 2010.

BBC journalist, film-maker and broadcaster with extensive experience of travelling to and investigating human rights abuses in Russia, including Chechnya, Belarus and other parts of the former USSR. Also considerable experience working with victims of human rights abuses in location in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Israel / Palestine, China, Turkey and Cuba.

Dr Zagud holds an intensive research experience on international public law, international human rights law, international relations and immigration law. 

Dr Zagud takes instructions on all Arab cases from: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

He maintains his expertise in all legal matters related to Arab nationals including cases pertaining to asylum, immigration, family and crime. Dr Zagud writes expert reports on all legal matters as well as nationality matters, languages, blood feuds, honour killing, domestic violence, risk of return and Islamic law.

His expertise centres around the people with whom he shares cultural understanding, languages, religious beliefs, and numerous national characteristics.

Cases undertaken

The Expert has experience in providing Country of Origin reports and analyses, he also provides documents authentication reports on various legal proceedings for clients in the UK and internationally. he is mostly instructed in following cases: