Afghanistan Times
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AT News Report
KABUL: Hajji Bashir Noorzai, a senior official of Taliban was freed from US custody in the Guantanamo Bay, a source close to Taliban said Tuesday.
“Mr. Noorzai has been freed, but has not been yet joined
Taliban representatives in Qatar,” Sayed Akbar Agha said.
“Americans will likely hand him over to Taliban on Wednesday.”
Agha called Noorzai a prominent member of Taliban. “Hajji Noorzai has an
important position among Taliban politicians and can play a key role in the
peace process.”
Agha added that Noorzai was close to Taliban founder, Mullah Omar, so he
is respected by Taliban.
Mullah Omar died in 2013 in Pakistan, but Taliban confirmed his death two years
later.
Agha said that Noorzai was a close friend to Maulavi Younos
Khales, a jihadi leader during the Afghanistan invasion by the Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say that Noorzai has arrived in the United Arab
Emirates and would fly to Qatar today (Wednesday).
He was arrested by the US troops 18 years ago, who took him to the Guantanamo
prison.
His freedom comes amid intensive efforts over peace in Afghanistan. The US and
Taliban negotiators said about agreements on the troop withdrawal and some other
issues after their seventh round of talks finished last week in Qatar.
