Former Afghan President’s Brother Accuses Haqqani Network of Harassing Him

Hashmat Ghani, brother of former president Ashraf Ghani, said that people close to Ibrahim Haqqani, a leading member of the Haqqani network, accused him of drinking alcohol. Ghani said that through a forced confession from journalist Ali Latifi, Haqqani wants to harass him.

According to Hashmat Ghani, Ibrahim Haqqani’s people forced Ali Latifi to record a video confession saying that he drank wine with him on Thursday night.

The Taliban has released the video of the journalist's confession. In this video, in which it is not yet clear under what conditions it has been recorded, the Afghan-American journalist said that he drank wine with Hashmat Ghani at his house.

The reporter added that the Taliban arrested him after he left Hashmat Ghani's house in Kabul.

In a call to Afghanistan International, Hashmat Ghani said that the Taliban arrested this journalist after meeting him in the Darul Aman area near Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's house and forced him to confess.

Ghani added that the Taliban is doing this to harass him. He emphasised that he is willing to take a blood test to prove his innocence.

Hashmat Ghani emphasised that Ibrahim Haqqani took possession of Ashraf Ghani's house and did not leave the house despite the order of the Taliban leader and cabinet.

According to Heshmat Ghani, for 18 months, Ibrahim Haqqani has been in Ashraf Ghani's house in Kabul and not only does he not leave this house, but also causes problems in Logar and Nangarhar for the Ghani family’s farmers and lands.

In a video message last year, Hashmat Ghani had accused Ibrahim Haqqani of usurping Ashraf Ghani's house. The Taliban officials have not officially commented on this matter so far.