The Office of the Attorney General of Afghanistan has launched an investigation into reports about alleged embezzlement in Nangarhar Customs Office.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) spokesman, Jamshid Rasooli, said the case has been referred for further proceedings to the Anti-Corruption Criminal Justice Center (ACJC).
Rasooli told TOLOnews that at least four people were arrested in connection to the case.
He said the Attorney General’s Office continues to probe the allegations within the framework of the country laws.
“The investigation will be conducted by using the documents and will reveal the issues that people are concerned about. All the ‘black and white’ issues will be made clear by our colleagues,” Rasooli said.
Documents leaked to media indicate that money goes through the Nangarhar Customs Office into the accounts of some influential figures in the province.
The documents which include a list of some officials and influential figures from Nangarhar were showed in reports by TOLOnews and other media outlets in the country.
An advisor of President Ghani said reports must be prepared based on accurate information.
“It should be asked that what is the source of a report? Can a Facebook report be a report? My first criticize is on TOLO (TV). I have recorded my complaint and I have sent it to the Attorney General’s Office. The office will decide on it. Secondly, my demand from government is to punish anyone who is found guilty and it should conduct investigation into any case which is required,” said Laal Pacha Azmoon, President Ashraf Ghani’s advisor.
Meanwhile, Amir Khan Yar, head of the Wolesi Jirga – Lower House of Parliament’s – Budget and Finance Commission, whose name is in the leaked list, rejected the allegations and called on government to investigate the issue.
“I am ready to appear at the court if it was approved by anyone that I am involved in corruption,” he told TOLOnews.
The Ministry of Finance will address the issue of corruption in Nangarhar customs in close coordination with the legal and judicial institutions, the Finance Ministry’s spokesman Ajmal Abdulrahimzai said.
“The issue of Nangarhar customs will be assessed by a delegation of Finance Ministry and other relevant institutions. After the investigation, the results will be announced based on the facts and those who violated the law will be treated based on the law,” he said.
The issue of embezzlement and corruption in Nangarhar Customs Office emerged two weeks ago after a leaked document, which included names of some officials and MPs, was obtained by media outlets.