Letters seen by TOLOnews show that Afghanistan’s ambassador in Baku, Khairullah Spilenay, has asked the Azerbaijan government to prevent some Afghan diplomats from entering the diplomatic office, an act that former envoys said is in contravention of diplomatic practices.

Footage from the embassy shows a number of Azerbaijan policemen standing outside the embassy’s compound with some employees and diplomats of the embassy, apparently not allowing them to enter the office. The reason for this has not been given in the letters.

Sources from the Afghan embassy in Azerbaijan, one who sent the documents, said the ambassador is accused of misusing his authorities and embezzlement and that he continues his work despite an assessment by a delegation from Kabul.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry was informed of an ongoing investigation on this matter.

“The ambassador and a general counsel have the authority to make a decision on appointments and to end the employment of local employees and this is a common practice in all diplomatic offices,” said Gran Hewad, a spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is not the first time that a dispute was reported between Afghan diplomats abroad.

Last year, differences reported between diplomats in Afghanistan’s embassy in Italy, something that led to the removal of the ambassador and deputy ambassador of the country in Rome.

Analysts said “unprofessional” appointments in the country’s embassies lead to such issues among diplomats.

“Political and unprofessional appointments in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the president have questioned the prestige of the ministry in the world,” said Ahmad Saeedi, a political analyst.

“This issue is related to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the host country. It is a regret. We should have people in embassies who should be familiar with diplomatic principles,” said Shaida Mohammad Abdali, former Afghan ambassador in New Delhi.