Ex-Afghan MP Zahir Qadir extradited to US from Kenya — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Former Afghan lawmaker Abdul Zahir Qadir has been extradited to the United States after being arrested in Kenya, where he is facing charges related to alleged drug trafficking and firearms offences, US authorities said. According to the Associated Press (AP), Qadir, 52, appeared before a federal court in Manhattan on Friday, where a judge ordered that he remain in custody pending trial. The report said Qadir was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, on April 15 and later extradited to the United States to face charges of conspiracy to import heroin and methamphetamine, as well as firearms-related offences. It added that it was not immediately clear who was representing Qadir in the case. If convicted, he could face a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Omega Ochieng, Qadir’s lawyer, had previously rejected the allegations, saying his client had travelled to Kenya from Afghanistan for business purposes and was preparing to return home when he was arrested.