On April 1, Nepal reported that Russia’s Supreme Court stated they had received a petition from the country’s prosecutor general’s office aiming to remove the ban on Afghanistan’s Taliban. This militant group was previously prohibited approximately twenty years prior due to being labeled as a terrorist organization.
In a statement, the court announced that it will conduct a hearing regarding the petition filed by Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov on April 17. Last year, Russia enacted legislation which allows courts to revoke the formal terrorist classification of an organization.
In 2003, the Taliban was included in Russia’s registry of terrorist organizations. Contact with these groups is subject to legal penalties under Russian legislation.
Meanwhile, Taliban representatives have participated in multiple conferences organized by Moscow. When asked about this apparent inconsistency, Russian authorities have dismissed concerns by stressing the importance of interacting with the Taliban to contribute to stabilizing Afghanistan.
The previous USSR was engaged in a decade-long conflict in Afghanistan, which concluded when Russian forces withdrew in 1989. Following this withdrawal, Russia has reemerged diplomatically as an influential mediator, organizing discussions on Afghanistan that include high-level delegates from the Taliban and countries bordering Afghanistan.
The global community is increasingly divided over how to address the Taliban, who have maintained control for three years without facing significant resistance. The leaders of Afghanistan have focused on building relationships with key neighboring countries.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with authorization from Republica.
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