The Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Wednesday announced it had arrested at least five suspects involved in various crimes.
 
On Wednesday, the interior ministry published the names of at least 16 wanted suspects who are accused of illegal activities and bullying.
 
Some of the suspects surrendered to the police after the publication of their names, said MoI.
 
As part of its crackdown on criminals, the interior ministry on Tuesday sent security forces to arrest a suspect, Abdul Hamid Khorasani, who is accused of illegal activities. But the attempt reached a stalemate.
 
Last week, the interior ministry published names of over 200 suspects accused of illegal activities.
 
“Some of them who did not consult have been identified through the cooperation of the public, and so far we have arrested five of them,” said MoI spokesman Najib Danish.
 
Abdul Hamid Khorasani who leads a movement called ‘Nahzat-e-Islami Muqawomat’ was among the suspects.
 
Khorasani is accused of murder, extortion, hostage-taking and drug smuggling.
 
But some people in the region where Khorasani lives came out in support of him and disrupted the police operation.
 
Khorasani has rejected all allegations.
 
“The purpose of our resistance and the establishment of the office of Nahzat-e-Islami Muqawomat is to pursue the path of the Mujahideen. So far we have used all we have to resist oppression, repression, injustice and fascism. We have resisted the plots of ancient colonialism,” Khorasani said while addressing his supporters.
 
In reaction, lawmakers in Afghanistan’s parliament however criticized the way police forces lay siege on Khorasani's house.
 
“When you don’t have the capacity to implement the law, then stop doing it, because this situation harms the credibility, prestige and legitimacy of the Ministry of Interior 100 percent,” MP Abdul Qader Qalatwal said.
 
“Those who are criminals must face justice. It shouldn’t be in a way where they get information and escape from the scene and take refuge in a safe place,” said MP Amir Khan Yar.
 
“Unfortunately, in our society whenever a criminal is arrested, the people come out in his support while people have responsibility to hand over such people to the security forces,” said MP Nader Khan Katawazai.
 
But, the interior ministry has said that it will continue its efforts to arrest Khorasani and other suspects.