Nairobi – 22 April 2025: Former Afghan parliamentarian Abdul Zahir Qadir was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and now faces extradition to the United States. Authorities detained him after his arrival on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on April 14, as reported by the Nairobi Times.
Kenyan police apprehended Qadir at a local hotel. A Nairobi court has approved his continued detention, citing flight risk and serious charges pending abroad.
Charged by U.S. Court in New York
A U.S. district court in New York issued a warrant on March 25. Prosecutors have charged Qadir with conspiracy to import narcotics and possession of heavy weapons. Following the warrant, U.S. authorities formally requested his extradition from Kenya under existing legal agreements.
Zahir Qadir arrested and Kenyan judges upheld the detention, agreeing that the nature of charges and likelihood of escape required strict custodial measures. Authorities have not yet disclosed why Qadir traveled to Kenya.
Background and Political Ties
Zahir Qadir, a former representative from Nangarhar province, served multiple terms in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga. After the Taliban takeover in August 2021, he remained in Afghanistan and engaged with Taliban officials.
Publicly, Qadir expressed support for the new Afghan administration, raising eyebrows among observers familiar with his earlier anti-Taliban positions.
Now facing extradition, Qadir’s case has reignited debates about post-2021 political alignments and international accountability.
Disclaimer: This report , on is based on confirmed developments. Further updates will be provided as legal proceedings continue.
