Sweden Criticized After Murder in Afghanistan

A man who previously worked for the Swedish military in Afghanistan has been murdered by the Taliban. Sweden is now facing criticism for its handling of employees in the region, reports TV4 Nyheterna.

The incident occurred on June 5, when the man was reportedly shot to death in northern Afghanistan. He was forced out of his car and shot multiple times, according to TV4 Nyheterna.

The man was employed by the Swedish Armed Forces between 2004 and 2007. He later served as a police chief and prison chief under the former Afghan government, according to Sveriges Radio.

The motive behind the murder is believed to be his work for Sweden. Until 2021, when the Taliban took control, 200 local employees worked for Sweden in Afghanistan. Fifty of them remain in the country.

Call to the Government: “Fly Them Home”

Jon Feltham, head of the non-profit organization Aman Lara, believes the situation is serious and urges the government to fly home former local employees and their families.

“If Swedish veterans now have a list, the government should take a serious look at it and fly them home,” he told TV4.

Aman Lara is a Canadian organization founded by members of the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans. As head of the organization, Jon Feltham has insight into efforts to help former local employees. For Canada, this involves thousands of people still in Afghanistan.

Defense Minister Pål Jonsson (M) wrote to TV4 Nyheterna that individuals who worked for Sweden in Afghanistan will be investigated by relevant authorities, provided they flagged an urgent need for help before December 2021. However, Jon Feltham believes this is insufficient:

“These are people who stood up for Sweden when Sweden needed help; it wouldn’t be difficult to fly them out.”