DPP to extradite Afghan national, Abdul Zahir Qadeer wanted in US
The Director of Public Prosecutions has secured extradition orders against an Afghan national wanted in the United States of America to face charges of narcotics importation.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the Office of the Director of Public Prosections (ODPP) stated that the Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi endorsed a warrant of arrest issued by a United States District Court and issued extradition orders based thereon against Abdul Zahir Qadeer, also known as Haji Abdul Zahir.
“The DPP, through Principal Prosecution Counsel Victor Owiti, persuaded the court that the offences for which the fugitive is sought are indeed extraditable, as they also amount to offences under Kenyan law,” the statement read in part.
Further, Owiti urged the court to issue an order for the extradition and surrender of the fugitive to the United States of America to face the charges for which the US sought his extradition.
He also informed the court that Abdul Zahir Qadeer would be allowed to defend himself before the U.S. court.
“Abdul Zahir Qadeer will be extradited to the United States to face charges of narcotics importation, Conspiracy, Possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and Conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices,” the ODPP added.
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York had issued an international warrant of arrest against him.
Interpol had also issued a Red Notice against the respondent, dated April 14, 2025.
Abdul Zahir Qadeer
The U.S. District Court warrant of arrest and the Red Notice were in force when the former member of Afghanistan’s parliament was arrested at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
According to court filings, a warrant for Qadeer’s arrest was issued on March 25, 2025, by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
He faces charges of conspiracy to import narcotics and possession of heavy weaponry, based on a criminal complaint filed by Nicholas DiFrancesco, a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
John Wafula, an investigator with Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Anti-Narcotics Unit, testified that Qadeer posed a significant flight risk, citing his lack of a fixed residence in Kenya.
Prosecutors argued that if released, Qadeer could flee to a country without an extradition treaty with the United States, jeopardising the legal process.
Kenyan authorities emphasised that his continued detention was crucial not only for the extradition proceedings but also for efforts to identify and apprehend potential accomplices.
