Sources within the Taliban have disclosed that Mullah Hibatullah, the group’s leader, has dismissed Mohammad Bara, the director of the Taliban's intelligence agency in Nangarhar province, due to significant financial corruption.
On Saturday, sources informed Afghanistan International that an aide to Mohammad Bara had embezzled 30 million Afghanis. The sources indicated that Shahin, a close associate of Bara, was arrested on charges of embezzling this amount.
During interrogations, Shahin reportedly confessed that he had collected the bribe under the orders of Mohammad Bara. After the corruption was exposed, Bara’s case was transferred to Kandahar, where Mullah Hibatullah subsequently ordered his removal from the intelligence directorate in Nangarhar province.
The Taliban have not officially announced the dismissal of this local official.
Mohammad Bara had previously lost two brothers in the conflict against the former Afghan security forces and spent five years in Bagram prison. Sources also alleged that during his tenure in Nangarhar, Bara was involved in the deaths of two prisoners who succumbed to severe torture during interrogations. These prisoners had been detained on charges of membership in ISIS.
The sources further revealed that Bara, who once led a modest life, became considerably wealthy after obtaining official positions in Kapisa and Nangarhar. He reportedly had three wives and recently married a 15-year-old girl.
The former Taliban intelligence chief in Nangarhar is said to have built a luxurious house in Logar and lived an opulent lifestyle in Kabul.
Dismissal of Another Intelligence Official
Additionally, a source reported that Abdul Basir, known as Mashal Afghan, who served as a representative of the Taliban's intelligence agency at the group’s Supreme Court, has also been dismissed over financial corruption allegations.
Although an investigation "proven" the corruption charges against Abdul Basir, he has not been arrested. The source claimed that he had acquired a house in Turkey as a result of his corrupt activities. Prior to the fall of the former government, Mashal Afghan was a member of the Taliban's media office in Qatar.
Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban had pledged to combat administrative and financial corruption. The group’s leaders have repeatedly urged their members to avoid luxurious lifestyles and financial misconduct.
Nevertheless, many Taliban members at various levels are reported to be leading lavish lives. In addition to seizing private properties of former government officials, they have purchased expensive homes and vehicles, living in luxury. Some Taliban members have also ventured into business using their government authority.
Over the past three years, there have been numerous reports of financial corruption among Taliban officials, with citizens increasingly concerned about the rise in corruption and the spread of a culture of bribery within Taliban-controlled institutions.