[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Afghan Embassy in Tajikistan has reportedly requested Interpol to issue a warrant for President Ashraf Ghani. President Ghani was previously reported to have fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrying approximately 200 billion won in cash when Kabul fell, but he denies taking the money with him.
According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 18th (local time), Mohammad Zahir Agbar, the Afghan ambassador to Tajikistan, stated at a press conference the previous day, "President Ghani fled Kabul on the 16th with 169 million dollars (about 200 billion won) of public funds," and requested Interpol to issue a warrant on charges of embezzlement of public funds.
According to foreign media including the AP News, on the 16th, just before the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, President Ghani reportedly loaded a large amount of cash equivalent to four vehicles onto a helicopter and left the country. His whereabouts were unknown until the UAE government announced that President Ghani was staying in the UAE on the same day. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release through the state-run WAM news agency, "For humanitarian reasons, we have accepted President Ghani and his family."
President Ghani also released a video message on his Facebook on the same day, directly denying the embezzlement allegations. He said, "The rumors that I left the country with a large sum of money are baseless claims and lies," adding, "I had no choice but to leave Kabul to prevent bloodshed. I am currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)." He further emphasized, "I am discussing returning to continue efforts for justice in Afghanistan."
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