Afghanistan arrests former U.S. translator accused of killing civilians

7/8/2013

KABUL, Afghanistan  — Afghan officials say they’ve arrested a man who served as a translator for U.S. Special Forces and was wanted on allegations he tortured and killed civilians.

Afghanistan’s intelligence service said today in a statement that Zakaria Kandahari was picked up “recently” in the southern city of Kandahar for “various crimes.” It did not elaborate but the Ministry of Defense has said Kandahari was wanted on charges of murder and torture in connection with the disappearances of nine boys and men who turned up dead.

The U.S.-led coalition has denied any involvement in the disappearances.

The intelligence service says Kandahari had three pistols, two fake Afghan National ID cards and seven other false IDs on him when he was arrested.

The intelligence service says its investigation of Kandahari is ongoing.