Former Afghan Officials with Multi-Million Dollar Homes in Dubai

Leaked information has revealed that some former Afghan officials supported by the West own expensive properties and luxurious homes in Dubai. The 'Dubai Unlocked' project, a joint investigation by over 70 media outlets, lists 10 former Afghan officials or their relatives as owners of multi-million dollar apartments, houses, or villas in Dubai. Among these individuals are Mir Rahman Rahmani, the former Speaker of the House, and his son Ajmal Rahmani, who together own over $15 million in real estate in Dubai. Other mentioned individuals include Asadullah Khalid, the former head of Afghanistan's intelligence agency, who owns a villa worth approximately $5.4 million, and the brother and son of Mohammad Qasim Fahim, the former Minister of Defense and Vice President, who own luxury properties valued at over $4.6 million. Amirzi Sangin, Atiqullah Baryali, Ratif Popal, Hamid Karzai's cousin, and Ahmad Wali Masoud, a former ambassador, are also reported to own expensive properties in Dubai. After the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 that toppled the first Taliban regime, Washington allocated billions of dollars for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Many former Afghan officials and American contractors, some of whom were part of the new political elite, have been accused of misappropriating some of these funds. The 'Dubai Unlocked' project has shown that at least some of these individuals have purchased expensive and luxurious properties in the United Arab Emirates. These revelations expose a glimpse of the widespread corruption that was institutionalized in previous Afghan governments. Khan Zaman Amarkhil, an anti-corruption expert in Afghanistan, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that 'corruption was one of the factors that led to the collapse of the republic in Afghanistan.' It remains unclear whether all the former U.S. contractors and Afghan officials named in these revelations and accused of corruption will be held accountable. In December, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the Rahmanis for 'embezzling millions of dollars.' In January, the Rahmanis filed a complaint in Washington D.C. However, in April, the court rejected their efforts to lift the Treasury sanctions until the case was resolved. This complaint revealed that the Rahmanis still hold a Cypriot passport and own over $212 million in real estate in Germany. The emergence of these substantial amounts from funds allocated for reconstruction and infrastructure development in Afghanistan, from the Dubai real estate market and elsewhere, comes at a time when the situation for the people of Afghanistan is worsening day by day. Recently, sudden floods in Afghanistan claimed the lives of hundreds, and according to aid organizations, an emergency situation is in effect in many areas of Afghanistan. With many roads destroyed, trucks carrying food, medicine, and tents cannot reach these areas. As a result of heavy rains on May 10, 25 out of 34 provinces in the country were affected by the recent floods, with Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan being the worst-hit area with over 300 deaths. Flood victims in Baghlan report receiving little assistance. Among them is the family of Mohammad Alam from Baghlan, who told Radio Free Europe that 'the flood did not last long, but it passed over me like a mountain. It took my son and my wife. We have lost a total of six people.' Thousands remain displaced and are in dire need of food, shelter, and medicine. International groups and Taliban officials have warned that the death toll may rise significantly. Hundreds are missing and feared dead. The occurrence of sudden floods has exacerbated the devastating humanitarian crisis in this country, leaving thousands homeless and destroying the livelihoods of many farmers.