Taliban Intelligence Arrests Five Officials Close to Public Health Minister on Corruption Charges
KABUL — Taliban intelligence forces arrested five officials close to Public Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali, including Noorullah Derwish, head of documents and communications, on charges of administrative corruption.
The arrests followed a raid on the ministry office by the Taliban intelligence's '08' directorate. The officials were accused of taking bribes of $5,000 per pharmacy license and $3,500 per wholesaler license. After one week in initial detention, the suspects were handed over to the '40' directorate.
Minister Jalali blocked the arrests for one week, but relented after a warning from Maulvi Emad, head of the '08' directorate, that he himself could face arrest.
The operation stems from internal disputes between factions linked to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. Jalali is said to be close to the Haqqani network.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Sources (1)
More in Politics
Rural Rehabilitation Minister Meets Helmand Governor on Development Projects
Islamic Emirate Minister Tells Nangarhar Gathering Afghans Defeated Enemies Through Jihad
Zahedan Sunni Leader Calls for Halting Executions, Restoring Internet Amid Iran's Crises
Taliban Official Urges Russia to Investigate Alleged Pakistani Airstrike on Kabul Drug Rehab Clinic
ReliableRural Rehabilitation Minister Meets Helmand Governor on Development Projects
Mullah Abdul Latif Mansour, Afghanistan's Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, met with Helmand Governor Mawlawi Amanuddin Mansour and provincial department head Mullah Mahmoud Sani to discuss development projects and challenges. The minister called for a regular water supply for migrants and nomads and more efforts in remote areas.
ReliableIslamic Emirate Minister Tells Nangarhar Gathering Afghans Defeated Enemies Through Jihad
Mullah Noorullah Noori, the Islamic Emirate's Minister of Borders, Tribes, and Ethnicities, told a Nangarhar gathering that Afghans are mujahideen who defeated enemies through jihad and praised unity against Pakistan. Attendees including tribal elders and scholars criticized Pakistan for seeking to weaken Afghanistan and pledged to defend the country.
ReliableZahedan Sunni Leader Calls for Halting Executions, Restoring Internet Amid Iran's Crises
Zahedan's Sunni Friday prayer leader Abdulhamid Ismailzehi called for halting executions, addressing people's demands, restoring internet access and prioritizing welfare amid Iran's critical situation from US and Israeli attacks. He criticized Israel's policies toward Palestinians and urged dialogue.
ReliableTaliban Official Urges Russia to Investigate Alleged Pakistani Airstrike on Kabul Drug Rehab Clinic
Suhail Shaheen, head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, called on Russia to investigate an alleged March 16 Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul drug rehab clinic that the Taliban say killed over 400 people. Independent sources have not confirmed the attack details, while Russia has previously offered to mediate Taliban-Pakistan tensions.