KABUL – First Vice President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, who has been livingin exile in Turkey for more than a year, is expected to return home onSunday, the Presidential Palace (ARG) announced onSaturday.
President Ashraf Ghani’s spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri on Saturday said ata press conference that all preparations are in place for Dostum’s returnand that he will be warmly welcomed homeby government officials.
Dostum supporters have repeatedly said the first vice president wasprevented from returning home but on Saturday, Chakhansuri said Dostum hadbeen in Turkey to undergo medical treatment. He said the first vicepresident has recovered and as such will return home.
“He (Dostum) has recovered now and tomorrow he will be welcomed at aceremony on his arrival in Kabul,” Chakhansuri said.
Meanwhile, members of Dostum’s party, the Islamic National Movement ofAfghanistan, said high-ranking government officials such as Mohammad SarwarDanish, the Second Vice President, willbe at the airport on Sunday tomeet Dostum.
The deputy head of the Islamic National Movement of Afghanistan, AbdullahQaraloq, said Dostum will immediately return to his office after hisarrival.
Dostum left the country 14 months ago after allegations were lodged againsthim of sexual assault against the former Jawzjan governor Ahmad Eschi.
As a result, tension reportedly increased between him and Ghani.
At the time of his departure, Dostum said he was going to Turkey due to illhealth. However his supporters have repeatedly stated thatgovernment refused to allow him to return.