By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – Afghanistan's notorious Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum has been placed at the center of new controversy this week after being accused of sexually abusing a senior member of his own party.
Dostum already had a reputation as a ruthless militia commander but yesterday Ahmad Ischi, a former labor leader who helped form Dostum's Junbish-e-Islami movement, claimed he was stripped naked and molested by the vice president and his guards during five days in their custody last month.
Dostum has been able to withstand previous allegations of war crimes but the new allegation prompted the EU and its member states, the U.S., Australia, Canada and Norway to immediately call for an investigation.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani promised a thorough probe into the incident and justice in line with Islamic norms and the country's constitution.
Dostum rose to prominence before and during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, with his ability to shift alliances earning him a reputation as a key player in the country's decades-long conflict.
Ashiqullah Yaqub, a senior political commentator, said Dostum has a reputation for suppressing his opponents and spreading fear.
“Dostum does not hail from an affluent or noble Uzbek family, so he does not tolerate others in his community to rise and pose a threat to the sort of dynasty he has established in this community,” Yaqub told Anadolu Agency, underlining that Ischi, a prominent left-wing Uzbek politician, has two sons rising through the political ranks.
Dostum, now in his early 60s, is also trying to promote his two sons as his successors. He denied the allegations and accused Ischi of backing rebels in northern Jawzjan province.