Sher Mohammed Akhundzada
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Sher Mohammed Akhundzada was the governor of Helmand province in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in 2001 until December 2005 when he was appointed as a MP in the National Assembly of Afghanistan by President Hamid Karzai. The appointment of Sher Mohammed to Parliament was reportedly influenced by NATO forces, who believe Sher Mohammed to be a major opium smuggler.[1]
In early 2005, Sher Mohammed's offices were raided by counter-narcotics agents who found 9 metric tons of opium.[2] As of Summer 2006, Sher Mohammed has formed a paramilitary group, ostensibly to fight insurgents in Helmand province.[3] This action is very controversial in light of Afghanistan's violent factional history, Sher Mohammed's alleged drug activities and the disarmament process taking place elsewhere in the country.
Haji Bismullah, a Guantanamo captive captured in late 2002, or early 2003, testified before his Combatant Status Review Tribunal and Administrative Review Board hearing that, prior to his detention by American forces, he had served as Sher Mohammed's Minister of Transportation.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Tom Coghlan, Tahir Luddin. "US Secrets for Sale Outside Bagram Airbase", The Independent, April 13, 2006. Retrieved on April 30.
- ^ "A Stash to Beat All: In Afghanistan, tons and tons of opium", US News and World Report, July 31, 2005. Retrieved on April 30.
- ^ "British soldier killed in Afghanistan", Al Jazeera, Tuesday June 13, 2006. Retrieved on April 30.
- ^ Summarized transcripts (.pdf), from Haji Bismullah's Combatant Status Review Tribunal - pages 54-60
| Preceded by None |
Governor of Helmand Province, Afghanistan 2001–2005 |
Succeeded by Engineer Mohammad Daoud |
