(MENAFN- Afghanistan Times) AT News Report
KABUL: Former President Hamid Karzai said the assassination
of prominent peace activist, journalist and political commentator Wahid Muzhda
is an unfortunate and gravely ominous development.
'The killing of Shaheed Muzhda is an attack on civil
liberties and the freedom of speech, some of the most important achievements of
the past 18 years. Defending those advocating for the realization of peace is
our national duty. I am confident that Afghans will respond to this violence
with unity and robust civil action,' former President added.
Wahid Muzhda, was assassinated Wednesday in west of Kabul
city when two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle attacked him in the area
close to the Russian embassy.
Interior ministry spokesman, Nasrat Rahimi, said the
incident occurred around 5:00 pm while Muzhda was going to the mosque. The
reason for his death is not clear, and police are investigating the incident,
Rahimi added.
Soon after the attack, the Taliban group reacted to Muzhda's
assassination, blaming the 'intelligence circles of the enemy' for his killing.
The Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid in a statement said
the group condemns the assassination of Mr. Muzhda in strongest terms.
Target killing in the past one month have been increased in
Kabul. The targeted killing, especially the killing of Muzhda, must be
thoroughly and swiftly investigated and the results made known to the public,
martyred Muzhda's support demanded.
Muzhda served as foreign minister during the Taliban regime.
This comes as four ex-members of the Taliban regime have been targeted by unidentified
gunmen in the last month.
Hassan Haqyar, a political activist who formerly worked in
the Taliban regime as a director of the mining department, was wounded in Kabul
on October 31.
Then, three hours after the attack on Muzhda, unidentified
gunmen unsuccessfully targeted Abdul Shakoor Mutmaen, who headed the Olympic
committee during the Taliban regime, TOLONews reported.
Many are calling Muzhda a martyr for free speech because he
often provided alternative or 'contrarian' political views, particularly by
offering insight into the Taliban perspective.
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