Afghan gov't rejects U.N. report on possible killing of staff by Afghan forces

The Afghan Interior Ministry Tuesday rejected the United Nations report that suggested an U.N. staff may have been killed by Afghan security forces in last October's attack on an U.N. guesthouse in Kabul.

"The Interior Ministry does not accept this report and we reject it," spokesman for Interior Ministry Zamaray Bashari told a press briefing here.

The reason for the rejection, he said, is that the Afghan authorities do not have any evidence to show that the victim was killed as a result of police fire or friendly fire.

"The Afghan Interior Ministry requested twice for a joint investigation and then come out of the result," he said.

Bashari said that the Kabul police, jointly with the European Union Police (EUPOL), had been launched an investigation that does not show such results.

Five U.N. staff members were killed and several others injured on Oct. 28 terrorist attack for which the Taliban militants claimed responsibility.

A report issued by the U.N. on Monday suggested that one of the victims may have been killed by Afghan security forces who may have mistaken him for an insurgent.

The interior ministry spokesman also said that the Afghan government is committed to provide security for U.N. staff across the country.

"Police personnel is working hard in collaboration with locals for safe release of five U.N. workers in northern Baghlan province, " he said.

Five U.N. workers were missing aimed reports that their cars were highjacked in Baghlan province on April 15.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Taliban birthplace Kandahar province in south Afghanistan called on its staff to stay indoor.

Media reports said that the UNAMA has evacuated its international staff to Kabul for security concerns.

Source: Xinhua