Afghan female official seeks asylum in FinlandFebruary 8, 2013 - 15:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Afghan provincial women's affairs official has applied for political asylum in Finland after visiting the country, RIA Novosti reported citing Afghan media outlets. Fariba Majid, women's affairs director in the northern Afghan province of Balkh, went to Finland for a training course about a month ago, but then disappeared, Balkh provincial governor’s spokesman Munir Farhad said. It later emerged she had asked Finland for asylum on the grounds threats had been made to her life in Afghanistan, a claim that was dismissed by Farhad. “No-one in government service is experiencing security problems,” Farhad told Pajhwok Afghan News. Zabiullah Mojahed, press spokesman for the radical Islamist Taliban movement, which has previously been responsible for attacks on female political figures in the country, claims many people hoping to leave war-torn Afghanistan are concocting stories of threats against them by the Taliban in order to convince foreign states to grant them asylum. The Taliban maintain a rigid adherence to hard-line Islamist values, and continue to attack those promoting women's rights in Afghanistan, including attacks on schools teaching girls. In October 2012, they attacked women on the streets in the eastern Afghan city of Ghazni, injuring several, according to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |