Afghan envoy, deputy in Italy dismissed: Source

KABUL ambassador and charge de affairs in Italy have been dismissed, a credible source said Wednesday.

The source, who wished to go unnamed, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Afghanistan envoy to Rome along with five other diplomats had been ordered to return home after some problems in the embassy.

The development followed a suggestion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and president’s order, the source said.

After investigations, ambassador Helena Malikyar and her deputy, Zubair Joinda were fired from their positions following recommendations from the MoFA and order from the president, the source said.

Pajhwok also published a report about problems in the Afghan diplomatic mission in Italy two months ago.

Pajhwok found access to some documents in March 2019 that showed former Afghan charge de affairs in Rome, Abdul Qadir, was dismissed for what was said he had some mental problems and there were attempts for his appointment in the Afghan embassy in Geneva.

A letter No. 37 sent to MoFA in April, which is signed by Afghan diplomats in Rome, stated that Abdul Qadir was interfering in very part and was bullying.

“In his recent meeting with Italian officials of foreign ministry, he introduced all Afghan diplomats as mistrusted and bad, and had asked them to have contact with them through his personal email address,” the letter said.

He also during a meeting with US charge de affairs in Rome said that Afghan diplomats in Rome were not trustable and told him to keep contact with him personally.

Edress Zaman, former foreign minister, on October 30, 2019 dismissed Abdul Qadir as Afghan charge de affairs to Rome.

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