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Sirajuddin Haqqani made his public and first appearance at a ceremony at the Police Academy in Kabul.
Haqqani’s photos taken on Saturday were widely shared on social media by Taliban officials.
AFP
The only photo of him on the FBI wanted poster was: Sirajuddin Haqqani, one of the most secretive Taliban leaders, revealed his face for the first time on Saturday at an official ceremony in Kabul. He looked like many senior regime leaders, playing with a black turban with a long, full beard and white shawl.
“I appear in the media during a public meeting with you (…) for your satisfaction and to uphold your trust,” he said in a speech at a promotion ceremony for Police Academy students.
The general appearance of the minister also indicates that the Taliban have more confidence in their grip on the country.
“Global Terrorist”
Until they seized power in August, Sirajuddin Haqqani was one of the three deputy leaders of the Taliban led by Hibatullah Akundzada and the leader of a powerful network named after him. The network has been accused of carrying out some of the most violent attacks by the Taliban in Afghanistan over the past 20 years.
Sirajuddin Haqqani is still on the FBI’s list of most wanted suspects, calling him a “global terrorist” and accusing him of having “close ties” to the al-Qaeda network.
FBI poster required.
AFP
(AFP)