The Ministry of Interior has asked for more time from the Attorney General’s Office on probing the case which involves Haji Delawar, a former advisor to Senate Speaker Fazl Hadi Muslimyar, who has been accused of “supporting and sheltering terrorists”, something the suspect’s close friends and relatives reject as baseless.

Delawar was arrested on May 24. According to Interior Ministry, he owned fake number plates, armored vehicles, guns, and many Pakistani ID cards and that he “had supported and sheltered terrorists”.

“We requested the Attorney General for more time on the detention of Haji Delawar. We will refer the case to the Attorney General’s Office once the investigation is completed,,” the interior ministry’s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi said.

Legal experts criticized the Ministry of Interior for not finalizing the case. They argue that the ministry has no legal authority to delay such cases or keep suspects under detention for more than 72 hours.

“Based on article 382 of the criminal code, the police is not allowed to keep a case more than 72 hours except the attorney general,” said Arash Shahrivar, a legal expert.

Last week, the Ministry of Interior reported progress in the case involving Haji Delawar.

But on Sunday, close friends and relatives of Delawar gathered in Kabul dismissed accusations as baseless.

“Your government is committing character assassination,” said Bakhto Jan, an investor and a close relative to Haji Delawar.

“Based on the law, security forces are obliged to refer the case to the Attorney General’s Office as soon as possible,” said Khan Jan Alokozai, deputy head of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

According to Ministry of Interior, Afghan security agencies were following Delawar almost for a year.

At least 10 people, among them three Pakistani nationals, were arrested last week in connection to Delawar’s case, the Ministry of Interior said.