US Detains Ex-Afghan Lawmaker on Suspicion of Taliban Financial Links

DID Press: US federal authorities have arrested former Afghan parliament deputy speaker Mirza Katawazy in Washington, D.C. on allegations of transferring cash and gold linked to Taliban, in a case that has drawn significant political attention amid heightened security and immigration scrutiny in the United States.

According to reports, Katawazy is accused of involvement in moving large sums of cash and gold shipments connected to Taliban networks across multiple countries, including United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

Investigators are reportedly focusing on his alleged links with Sirajuddin Haqqani and the Haqqani network, which forms a central part of the ongoing case.

Available documents indicate that Katawazy obtained a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) from the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi during the summer, a visa category typically issued to individuals who previously worked with U.S. institutions.

He entered the United States earlier this month, with his visa valid until the end of November. Authorities are now reviewing how the visa was issued and the security screening process involved.

The arrest comes amid rising political sensitivity in the U.S. over Afghan migration cases, particularly following a recent attack involving an Afghan national and renewed debate over vetting procedures.

Analysts say the case could have broader implications for Afghan immigration policies, especially for SIV holders, potentially leading to stricter screening measures.

Katawazy has previously faced corruption allegations in Afghanistan. In 2015, a Kabul court reportedly sentenced him in absentia to five years in prison over accusations related to forged vehicle documents, though the sentence was never enforced.

In later years, the Taliban also accused him of financial corruption, gold and currency smuggling, and illegal land seizures.