Kenyan court orders Qadir’s extradition to US

KABUL (Pajhwok): A court in Nairobi, has ordered the extradition of former deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga Abdul Zahir Qadir, to the United States.

However, his lawyer has requested a 14-day delay in carrying out the extradition, according to Citizen Digital.

The court determined there were sufficient grounds to proceed with the extradition based on evidence submitted by the US government through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Qadir was arrested nearly a month ago by Kenyan security forces at the request of the US. He faces charges of drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.

Two days ago, members of Qadir’s family met Minister of Foreign Affairs Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, who assured them the Afghan government would closely follow up on the case.

Today, the BBC also reported that the Kenyan court had ruled in favour of extraditing Qadir to the US.

His lawyer Omega Ochieng said they would file an appeal seeking a court order to delay the extradition for an additional 14 days.

The lawyer previously claimed that the charges against Qadir are politically motivated.

sa/mud