U.S. Justice Department: Zahir Qadir to Remain in Custody Pending Trial

Zahir Qadir, a former member of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga (House of Representatives), was transferred to the United States after being arrested in Kenya and is now facing a U.S. federal court on charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of Justice said that Qadir appeared before a federal court in New York on Friday, where the court ordered that he remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.

Aziz Stanikzai, a political analyst, said: “The government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has the responsibility to follow up, through official and legal channels, on the situation of all Afghan citizens detained abroad. In the case of Zahir Qadir, it should remain in contact with U.S. authorities, obtain information about his condition, and protect his rights within the framework of the law.”

The department added that if Qadir is convicted of importing narcotics, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

A number of political analysts and legal experts say that, given the sensitivity of the case and its potential implications, the judicial process should be conducted with full transparency.

Another political analyst, Enayatullah Hamam, said: “The Islamic Emirate should not remain indifferent to the detention of Afghan citizens abroad. Pursuing such cases through legal channels can help protect the rights of Afghan nationals and prevent situations in which they face judicial problems without due legal process.”

However, as of the publication of this report, Zahir Qadir’s family had not commented on his arrest, transfer to the United States, or the charges brought against him.