Zardad Faryadi, a former Hizb-e-Islami commander, arrived back in Kabul on Wednesday after serving more than 10 years in a U.K prison on charges of torture and human rights violations.
After landing in Afghanistan, Faryadi was escorted to an undisclosed location.
Twenty years ago he controlled parts of the key Kabul-Jalalabad highway before moving to London where he changed his name.
He was spotted in London in mid-2001 after charges were brought against him. He was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
His supporters, including some parliament members, on Wednesday gathered at Hamid Karzai International Airport to welcome him home.
“Zardad has done nothing wrong, but had fought against the Soviet Union for years. We always support him and today we gathered here to welcome him,” said Awal Gul, a tribal elder.
“The British government jailed our commander and it was unfair. He always fought against Russia’s army and is a jihadist,” said Asif Hotak, a supporter of Faryadi.
After waiting hours, however, his welcoming party was told that Faryadi had been whisked away and taken to an unknown location by security forces.
“We will wait here till tonight and if they do not bring the commander to us, we will launch a peaceful demonstration and will block the streets. Security forces have told us they have taken him to the presidential palace while others say he has been taken to the directorate of national security (NDS),” said Hedayatullah Ahmadzai, a relative of Faryadi.
Karim Amin, a spokesman for Hizb-e-Islami, meanwhile said the release and deportation of Faryadi is not related to the recent peace deal between Hizb-e-Islami and the Afghan government.
“Faryadi’s freedom does not relate to the freeing of Hizb-e-Islami prisoners deal,” he said.
Lawyers meanwhile said if people have any complaints about Faryadi, judicial centers will be responsible for investigating them.
“Now as he has come to Afghanistan, people may complain about him. Because if anyone suffered from Faryadi’s activities, they are in Afghanistan now,” said Gul Ahmad Madadzai, deputy head of Afghanistan Lawyers Union.