Protestors gathered in Kabul on Thursday and called for a thorough investigation into the case of Balkh provincial council member, Mohammad Asif Mohmand, who claimed he was arrested and beaten by the provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor. 

The protestors warned they will continue their demonstration until the issue has been properly investigated by relevant institutions. 

The group, who protested outside the Eidgah Mosque in Kabul city, chanted anti-Noor slogans.

“The Afghan nation will not stay silent if government does not fire villains (powerful men) from the administration,” said Rawzatullah Majid, a university lecturer.

“Any side in the case should be punished if they are found guilty,” said Mohammad Jan Eshan Rawani, a tribal elder. 

Hizb-e-Islami members were also among the demonstrators. 

“We strongly condemn the attack of Balkh officials on the Balkh representative Mr. Asif Mohmand,” Hizb-e-Islami spokesman Hashmatullah Arshad said.
Mohmand, who made the allegations against Noor, said he wants justice.

“We call on government to send the case to the Attorney General’s Office by Saturday,” he said.

The protestors said they will continue their action and organize bigger demonstrations if government does not address the issue. 

Earlier this month, the office of the Balkh governor rejected the allegations made by Mohmand and said his claims against Noor were baseless. 

Noor’s office said Mohmand had been arrested by security forces at Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkhi Airport in the provincial capital – Mazar-e-Sharif.

However, Mohmand rejected this and said he had been arrested by Noor’s men. 

Government sent a delegation to Balkh to probe the case but the team has not yet released its findings.  

Balkh governor’s office said that they have sent a detailed report about the incident to the Presidential Palace’s fact-finding team. They accuse Mohmand of corruption and fraud.