Russia set to remove Islamic Emirate from list of terrorist organizations

Russia’s foreign ministry and security service “are putting finishing legal touches” on the removal, said Kabulov, adding that the final decision will “hopefully” be announced soon.

The Islamic Emirate – known as “Taliban Movement” – was added to Russia’s blacklist in 2003 for backing separatists in the North Caucasus.

In separate comments on Friday during the annual diplomatic forum on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on Western countries to lift sanctions on the Islamic Emirate.

“We once again appeal to Western countries with an urgent call to acknowledge responsibility for the post-conflict reconstruction of Afghanistan, lift sanctions restrictions, and return Kabul’s appropriated assets,” he said during the opening remarks of the meeting, where Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had also been present.

Lavrov also praised the current Afghan leadership for its fight against drugs and the Islamic State.

In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Islamic Emirate “a trusted ally,” adding that the movement could help Russia’s fight against the Islamic State amid a rise in terrorist attacks in Russia.

No international government has recognized the Islamic Emirate administration, but China and United Arab Emirates have accepted its ambassadors in their capitals.

ENDS