Seeking release, ex-bank officials go on hanger strike

KABUL (Pajhwok): Seven former Pashtani Bank employees including its head Hayatullah Dayanim, who are being held in in the Pul-i-Charkhi jail for the last three years, went on hunger strike on Wednesday.

Senior prison official Col. Mohammad Karim Tahi told Pajhwok Afghan New the former bank employees had been on strike due to an inordinate delay in their release from jail.

“The appeal court ordered the release of these individuals, but they are yet to be freed,” the official informed, without elaborating on reasons for the impediments to implementation of the verdict.

Back in 2012, the Attorney General Office (AGO) convicted 13 employees of the Pashtani Bank, including its former Head Hayatullah, on graft charges and referred them to the court.

The accused allegedly provided loans to 70 unregistered companies. Established in 1954, the Pashtani Bank is controlled by the government. 

Tahi said jail officials could free the men on the basis of a notification issued by the attorney office. “But so far we have not received such a notification,” he explained.

Meanwhile, AGO spokesman Basir Azizi said the decision of the appeal court on the release of the seven individuals was yet to be formally conveyed to them.

nh/mud

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