Hekmatyar refuses to apologize over war crime allegations

Hezb-e-Islami terrorist group leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has refused to apologize over war crime allegations as efforts are underway to remove his name from the United Nations sanctions committee following the conclusion of a peace deal with the Afghan Government.

National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Tawab Ghorzang said yesterday that Afghan Government will send a letter to the United Nations to officially ask the top body to lift sanctions Hekmatyar.

In an audio message, Hekmatyar said, "Those who have committed crimes or have been charged by a reputable court should apologise. Not those upon whom war is imposed, who have resisted the invaders, defended themselves and defended the country", reports Khaama Press.

Once branded the "butcher of Kabul", Hekmatyar was a prominent anti-Soviet commander in the 1980s. He is accused of killing thousands of people when his fighters fired on civilian areas of the capital city during the 1992-1996 civil war.

Human Right Watch, the New York-based watchdog, branded him as "one of Afghanistan's most notorious war crimes suspects".

His party joined the peace process following months of negotiations with the Afghan high peace council as the Afghan officials are optimistic that the reconciliation with Hezb-e-Islami will open doors for the other militant groups to join peace process and end the ongoing violence.

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