Taliban Intelligence Arrests Five Senior Officials from Public Health Ministry on Corruption Charges

KABUL — Taliban intelligence has arrested five senior officials from the Ministry of Public Health who are close to Minister Noorjalal Jalali, including Noorullah Derwish, head of the documents and communications department, on charges of financial corruption and abuse of authority, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The minister reportedly attempted to prevent the arrests for about a week, but Molavi Emad, head of the '08' section of Taliban intelligence, warned him against interfering. The head of the ministry's transport department and one advisor have fled, and Taliban intelligence raided the minister's house.

Allegations include nepotistic appointments within the ministry, such as the minister's wife's cousin as head of human resources, his nephew as head of narcotics, Mohammad Taher Halim — the son of his uncle — as head of an office, and another nephew Hakmat as deputy. The minister's son fled to Turkey several months ago amid accusations of receiving four armored vehicles and $64,000 in bribes.

A senior advisor known as 'Israel,' a former collaborator with U.S. forces, allegedly provided 34 armored vehicles from ministry resources for personal use and rental. Advisors Baryal Kakar and Mohammad Taher Halim are accused of purchasing land using ministry funds.

The Taliban has not commented on the arrests or allegations.