Dostum party spurns Eshchi’s allegations as a conspiracy

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Hezb-i-Junbish Islami (HJI) has rejected allegations of sexual assault and human rights abuses against its leader and First Vice-President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum.

At a meeting, key party members asked Dostum to resolve the issue, HJI spokesman Bashir Ahmad Tainj told reporters late on Wednesday. The allegations were part of conspiracy to defame the VP, he claimed.

Referring to an earlier armed attack on Dostum, Tainj said: “Some foreign agents and internal circles wanted to assassinate the vice-president. The attack on Dostum in Faryab’s Ghormach district and recent allegations are part of the conspiracy.”

The HJI spokesman said according to information from security intelligence officials, Ahmad Eshchi aided militants in destabilising Jawzjan province. He said Eshchi was held at the intelligence department for investigations.

He added his party wanted the judiciary to independently investigate the issue without accepting political pressures.

Eshchi, a former Jawzjan governor, was rescued by intelligence agents on December 10 after 16 days of captivity. His sons had claimed Gen. Dostum had a verbal clash with their father. Later on, Dostum’s bodyguards allegedly kidnapped him.

They said their father was held captive for 16 days. The captive was also beaten up. But the vice-president said Eshchi had been detained by security forces for supporting militants.

EU members, Australia, Canada and Norway released a statement on Tuesday, asking the Ashraf Ghani administration to formally investigate reports of human rights violations and misuse of authority by Dostum.

nh/mud