Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Dostum Barred from Going to Office, Asked to Hand over Accused Bodyguards

Dostum Barred from  Going to Office, Asked to Hand over Accused Bodyguards

KABUL - Security forces on Tuesday closed roads to the presidential palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in the capital Kabul to arrest the bodyguards of first vice-president Gen. Abdur Rashid Dostum.
All roads to Sherpoor area of Kabul city where Dostum lives were also closed for traffic.
Officials said that Kabul garrison was ordered to arrest first VP’s bodyguards who were accused of torturing and sexually harassing former Jawzjan governor and tribal elder, Ahmad Eshchi.
A well known government source told Pajhwok Afghan News that a number of prosecutors on Monday asked Dostum to hand over his bodyguards, involved in the crime, to the attorney general office.
The source said Dostum refused to hand over his bodyguards but prosecutors ordered him not to go out of his home. After the order, the first VP stayed in his home along with several bodyguards equipped with heavy and light weapons for about an hour, the official said.
After three months of Eshchi case, it was the first time Dostum tried to go to his office.
The source added police forces of 10th police district of Kabul on Monday night also tried to arrest the bodyguards of Dostum, but they failed to do so.
However, the government then ordered Kabul garrison to prevent Dostum from going to his office and take his bodyguards to justice, the source said.
Another government source said that a large number of security forces from different security organs this morning shut the office of vice presidents and deputies of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The source said that Dostum’s residence was surrounded because he did not respect the AGO’s letter that requested him to hand over his nine bodyguards involved in the crime. Deployment of a large number of new bodyguards was another reason of Dostum’s siege.
A number of garrison and defense security forces equipped with heavy weapons were deployed around the first VP’s home on Monday night.
Meanwhile, roads passing to Dostum’s home in Sherpoor area were closed for traffic but pedestrians were allowed to move.
A number of 101 Asmayee Police Zone’s quick reaction forces were also deployed to the area.
Eshchi, a former Jawzjan governor, was rescued by intelligence agents on December 10 after 16 days of captivity. His sons had claimed Gen. Dostum had a verbal clash with their father. Later on, Dostum’s bodyguards allegedly kidnapped him.
He claimed he was tortured, beaten up and sexually harassed during his captivity.
After claims from Eshchi, the AGO formally sent letters to Dostum, asking him to cooperate with investigative team or send his representative to submit a reply. However, Dostum showed no reaction to AGO’s letter.
Later on, the AGO ordered security organs concerned to detain nine bodyguards of Dostum who were involved in the case, but the Ministry of Interior remained silent about the issue.
Kabul garrison officials and Dostum could not be reached for comments on the issue. (Pajhwok)