MOSCOW, January 18 (Sputnik) — Afghan authorities have launched an investigation into President Ashraf Ghani’s nominee for agriculture minister after it emerged he was on Interpol’s most wanted list, Reuter reports.
Mohammad Yaqub Haidari, 52, is wanted in Estonia for "large-scale tax evasion and fraudulent conversion" dating back to 2003, according to Interpol’s website.
A spokesman for the President told Reuters on Saturday that the presidential office was unaware of the situation but was investigating.
He confirmed his place on the list but said he was a victim of a political conspiracy.
"When you enter the world of business and politics, this is what happens," he was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Haidari also stressed that the taxes were owed not by him but by a person who bought his company that operated in Estonia.
The National Unity Government named a 25-member cabinet on January 12, following negotiations that ended a three-month deadlock between Ghani and his former rival and current government executive Abdullah Abdullah.
Haidari was nominated as Minister for Irrigation, Agriculture and Livestock.
