Elections
Leaked Documents Show President Ghani ‘Meddled’ in Parliamentary Vote
Documents obtained by Ariana News show that President Ashraf Ghani has meddled in October parliamentary elections in favor of a particular candidate.
Based on the obtained documents, the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission had asked the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to provide information about parliamentary candidates with criminal convictions.
In between, AGO had declared Mirza Khan Katawazai – a parliamentary candidate who secured a seat in Wolesi Jirga in last year’s elections – with no criminal background.
Later, the Attorney General’s Office in a letter reveals that it has made a mistake while assessing candidates with criminal convictions and that Katawazai is being sentenced to five years in prison.
Another document affiliated to AGO indicates that Katawazai was sentenced to prison by court in 2016. But three years later, during parliamentary elections in October last year, he was arrested by intelligence operatives at Hairatan port in northern Balkh province.
However, according to the document, days later President Ghani instead of implementing the court’s verdict on Katawazai has verbally ordered the Attorney General’s Office to free him.
Thereafter, Katawazai has not served his five years in prison, and he is currently free and on top of the list of voting for Paktika province.
The Presidential Palace, Katawazai and the former commissioners of the IECC did not respond in this regard despite Ariana News’ attempts.
-
Latest News5 days ago
Over 1,000 Afghan refugees forced out of Pakistan in one day
-
Sport3 days ago
Afghanistan beat Iraq 5-3, inch closer to Futsal World Cup berth
-
Regional3 days ago
New UK sanctions target Iranian drone industry
-
Regional4 days ago
Turkey accuses U.S. of double standards over Gaza in rights report
-
Latest News3 days ago
EU allocates 17 million euros to support Afghans on the move
-
Latest News2 days ago
Pakistan extends registered Afghan refugees’ stay till June 30
-
World4 days ago
US student protests over Gaza intensify despite arrests
-
Regional2 days ago
China to host Hamas, Fatah for Palestinian unity talks