Kenya approves extradition of ex-Afghan deputy speaker Abdul Zahir Qadir to the U.S. over drug and arms charges.

A Kenyan court has approved the extradition of Abdul Zahir Qadir, a former deputy speaker of the Afghan parliament, to the United States, where he faces charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession.

The court, sitting in Nairobi, ruled that there were sufficient grounds for extradition after U.S. authorities submitted documents outlining alleged transnational criminal activities involving Qadir. These include accusations of large-scale narcotics trafficking and the distribution of illegal weapons.

Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi, who presided over the case, stated in his decision that the prosecution had provided compelling evidence to warrant Qadir’s extradition. He emphasized that the decision aligns with Kenya’s obligations to support international law enforcement efforts.

Qadir has denied the charges and is expected to appeal the ruling.

During the court proceedings, Qadir’s legal representatives argued that the extradition would infringe upon his rights and claimed that the charges were politically motivated. Despite these objections, the magistrate dismissed the defense's arguments and ordered that Qadir be surrendered to U.S. authorities, unless future legal action alters the decision.

Qadir was arrested in a Nairobi hotel in April shortly after his arrival in Kenya, following a request from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), based on an international warrant issued by a court in New York.

Kenyan authorities have pointed to the case as a demonstration of the country's commitment to upholding international justice agreements. Qadir held his parliamentary position in Afghanistan until 2021, the same year the Taliban regained control of the country.