MAZA-I-SHARIF (SW): A number of political activists and tribal elders protested here in Kabul on Thursday against the beating of Asif Mohmand, the member of Balkh’s council, and demanded the governor of Balkh be prosecuted.
Asif Mohmand was arrested several days ago on charges of forgery and other allegations at the Balkh international airport, but after being released, he claimed in a press conference in Kabul that he was beaten by Atta Mohammad Noor, the governor of Balkh.
The political activists and tribal elders said that the government must prevent the powerful and deal with everyone in accordance with the law. They said that the beating of Asif Moḥmand is a "crime" committed by the governor of Balkh.
The protesters added that the governor of Balkh must explain the incident, and if justice is not provided in this case, "they will carry out wider protests."
But, Munir Farhad, the spokesman for the governor of Balkh, denying the allegations of the protesters said the protest is being used by others and protesters have been provoked to protest against the governor of Balkh. According to him, protesters want the Balkh's fate to be similar to the insecure provinces. “The baseless demands of the protesters will never be answered”, added Farhad.
Salam Watandar wished to have the Attorney General Office’s view on the demands of the protesters, but to no avail.
Earlier, the government had appointed a committee to investigate the incident in Balkh, but so far no findings are announced by the committee to the media.
ENDS
