Reports of Mirza Katawazi’s arrest in US; Taliban-linked financial case under investigation
Sources: Former Afghan House of Representatives deputy detained upon arrival in Washington

Kabul Times News | Washington

According to reports from the US, Mirza Katawazi, a former deputy speaker of the Afghan House of Representatives, was detained by US authorities upon arrival at Dallas International Airport near Washington, DC.

His case is under investigation on financial charges and possible activities linked to Taliban-affiliated networks, sources said. However, US officials have not yet made full details of the case or the charges made public.

US-based journalist Anisa Shahid reported, citing sources, that Mirza Katawazi was accused of transferring gold and money of unknown origin to countries including the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and several other destinations.

According to the report, it is alleged that these transfers were made in order to financially support networks affiliated with the Taliban. Sources also claim that he had close ties to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Taliban Minister of Interior.

Despite these claims, no judicial institution in the United States has yet released official details of the charges or documents related to this case, and it is not clear at what stage the investigation is.

Mirza Katawazi has also not yet publicly responded to these reports.

The report is being published at a time when international security and financial institutions have increased their monitoring of suspicious financial flows and possible financing networks for sanctioned groups in recent years.