Government sources told TOLOnews on Monday that Zardad Faryadi, a former Hizb-e-Islami commander, has been released after being taken into custody by security forces on his return to Kabul last week. 

According to the source, a high-ranking government official mediated in his release. 

Faryadi was reportedly taken into custody after landing in Kabul on Wednesday following his deportation for the UK a day earlier. 

A number of Afghanistan residents meanwhile said Faryadi had committed crimes in the past and called for government to investigate the matter. 

“Faryadi committed lots of crimes. He built checkpoints and was annoying people. He was a cruel person,” said Noor Mohammad, a resident of Surobi district of Kabul city.

Muhssin, a 50-year-old man from Tagab district of Kapisa province, which was once under the control of Faryadi says he witnessed him committing crimes. 

“I want Faryadi to be sentenced. He committed genocide in Tagab and stole people’s belongings,” he said.

“If anyone complains against Faryadi to the judicial centers, the complaints will be investigated,” said Ainuddin Bahaduri from Afghanistan’s Lawyer Union (ALU).

Surobi was reportedly Faryadi’s main stronghold during the 1990s.

Mullah Qand was a driver who traveled along the Kabul-Jalalabad highway regularly during Faryadi’s time as a commander. He also says Faryadi committed crimes.

“Faryadi was the cruelest person,” Mullah Qand said.

Faryadi served more than 10 years in a UK prison on charges of torture and human rights violations. Twenty years ago he controlled parts of the key Kabul-Jalalabad highway before moving to London where he changed his name.

He was spotted in London in mid-2001 after charges were brought against him and was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released and deported back to Afghanistan last week.