A number of MPs in their Wednesday session called on government to investigate claims made by Ahmad Eshchi, former governor of Jawzjan and ex-member of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, against Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, the first vice president, but others rejected the claims.

Eshchi has claimed that Dostum jailed him, beat him up and sexually assaulted him. Some MPs said such allegations have brought Afghanistan’s reputation into question.

“This is a sensitive issue and it is better for both sides that the issue should be probed by judicial centers without any interference. There is forensic (processes) that can prove what happened. The allegations made against Dostum brings Afghanistan’s reputation into question. If these are wrong, Dostum’s reputation should be restored but if they prove to be true, government’s legitimacy will decrease,” said Abdul Raouf Enami, an MP.

“If the allegations are proved to be right, then Dostum should be removed from his position and he must go to prison. If the Attorney General proves the allegations, then Dostum cannot be a citizen of Afghanistan,” said Kamal Nasir Osuli, another MP.

MPs close to Dostum, however, rejected the claims and accused Eshchi of having a relationship with the Taliban.

“They [Eshchi] failed to remove Dostum and now want to damage his reputation. Dostum is not only a person, but is the first vice president of the country,” said Bashir Ahmad Tayyanj, an MP.

Some other MPs meanwhile criticized government’s decision to investigate the incident and said they should not differentiate between crimes.

“We do not say government must not probe the allegation. If the allegations prove to be right, Dostum should be sentenced. But why does government not probe other crimes and allegations. Differentiating between crimes itself is oppression,” said Ahmad Behzad, an MP.

“I urge government to probe Eshchi’s allegations and make the issue clear and punish the offenders,” said Zahir Qadir, first deputy speaker of parliament.

Eshchi has claimed that Dostum and his men verbally abused him, beat him up and sexually abused him. He also claimed they filmed the process.