Surrendering rebel ends up in Farah jail

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): A Taliban militant who joined peace process has been languishing in a jail in western Farah province for unknown reasons, the victim’s relatives complained on Monday.

Ahmad Shah 19, the resident of Bala Buluk district, was formerly active as a rebel for one-and-a-half-year in his home district.

Sheikh Ahmad, his uncle who is head of a local council, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Ahmad Shah had joined peace process as result of his and other relatives’ efforts in January this year.

Shah was introduced by the Bala Buluk police chief through a letter to the provincial police headquarters but the provincial police officials took him straight to the prison, he alleged.

Ahmad said he had been referring to different security organs about the issue for about a month but failed to ensure release of his nephew.

Acting Governor Mohammad Younus Rasooli confirmed the incident and ordered provincial police officials to clear Shah’s case. “I have approached provincial police officials but they told me that they had already registered case against Ahmad Shah,” Ahmad added.

A police commander in Bala Buluk district where Ahmad Shah was surrendered confirmed that Shah had surrendered his weapons and motorcycle to him.

Amir Mohammad Ayubi, director peace committee, said that Shah was an active rebel but had renounced violence. “Unfortunately, Farah police had taken him to jail. The police should have introduced him to the peace committee,” Ayubi noted.

He said that such kind of police approach would leave negative impact on peace process because rebels would not trust the peace move anymore.

Acting police chief Col. Deljan Khakrizi refused to comment on the issue and said that police were restricted from sharing views. He said that only governor and his spokesman could be approached for comments.

Mohammad Younus Rasooli said that there was no legal ground for Shah to be sentenced.

He added the governor’s house had shared the issue with police officials. Security officials had said Shah’s case was under investigation in National Directorate of Security (NDS) and information in the regard would be shared later.

mds/rm

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