Notorious gangster Khuda-i-Dad hanged

KABUL (Pajhwok): Following a primary court verdict, a dreaded gangster involved in a variety of heinous crimes and heading several groups of kidnappers has been hanged in Kabul, a well-placed source told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The source said Saidullah alias Raees Khuda-i-Dad was hanged on Saturday. He was arrested in September last year as a result of a 36-hour search operation in the 5th police district of Kabul. In a video, he dismissed reports that he had escaped from jail

He has been complicit in a string of kidnappings, extortion, robberies and murder across the country. He allegedly headed a huge network of criminals operating in Kabul and other provinces.

He was detained on Sept. 15 last year during a special National Directorate of Security (NDS) operation, the official told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Details about the charges against Khuda-i-Dad and his subsequent conviction would be released shortly, the source said, calling the death penalty an important step toward bringing the notorious commander to justice.

Accused of making fake passports, the criminal would often visit regional countries like Pakistan, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates. Tajikistan’s authorities had put him on the blacklist based on his crimes there.

Previously, the government had assigned him a lawyer to plead his case, but the dangerous mafia member declined the offer and said he would prefer hiring a defence attorney.

ra/rm