Afghan officer claims asylum upon arrival in UK for NATO summit

A senior Afghan National Army (ANA) officer has claimed asylum upon arrival at United Kingdom to participate in NATO Summit in south Wales.

An informed source has said that the army officer Enayatullah Barek was accompanying a delegation of the Afghan government officials including defense minister Bismilalh Mohammadi during the tour to Britain.

The source speaking on the condition of anonymity said the ANA officer abandoned the delegation upon arrival in London and claimed asylum.

Afghan defense officials have not commented in this regard so far.

According to reports, the ANA officer Enayatullah Barek was flag-bearer and was due to accompany Afghan army chief of staff Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi in NATO summit in Wales.

This is not the first time that senior Afghan officials are seeking asylum during official trips outside the country, specifically in European countries.

Several security officials, government employees and diplomats have not returned back to Afghanistan following their official tours.