Afghanistan carries out first execution since fall of Taliban

[seemslikeadream]

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(Kabul, Afghanistan-AP, Apr. 27, 2004 6:01 AM) _ Afghanistan has carried out its first execution since the fall of the hardline Taliban, putting a bullet to the head of a former military commander convicted of more than 20 murders, officials said Tuesday.

The government did not acknowledge the April 20 execution of Abdullah Shah at a jail just east of the capital until it was revealed by Amnesty International in an e-mailed protest letter Tuesday.

The international human rights group accused the government of carrying out the sentence without affording the accused "even the most basic standards" of fairness, and said the suspect was likely silenced so he could not testify against commanders allied to the government who have allegedly carried violated human rights.

"Amnesty International fears that Abdullah Shah's execution may have been an attempt by powerful political players to eliminate a key witness to human rights abuses," the group said. "During his detention, Abdullah Shah reportedly revealed first hand evidence against several regional commanders currently in positions of power against whom no charges have been brought."

The group did not name the commanders.

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=1817076

[dedhed]

1. That's progress?

In Afghanistan, we're helping to build a free and stable democracy, as we continue to track down and destroy Taliban and al Qaeda forces. Following years of cruel oppression, the Afghan people are living with hope and they're making steady progress.

- From President Bush's address to the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., November 11, 2003

:eyes:

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x512381

[bif]

3. Dupe

n/t