A fundamental decision to remove the radical Taliban movement (banned in Russia) from the list of terrorist organizations has been made at the highest level, though the necessary legal procedures still need to be completed, Zamir Kabulov, Russian President's Special Representative for Afghanistan, said during a briefing.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the FSB and several other Russian agencies, is finalizing the legal process to remove the Taliban from Russia's terrorist list. The decision is not a matter of desire; the highest leadership of Russia has already made the principle decision. However, all processes must comply with Russian legal standards," Kabulov said following a meeting of the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan.
He emphasized that Russian authorities are "obliged to adhere to federal laws" and expressed hope that an official announcement would be made soon. "This process requires meticulous work from lawyers, parliament, and other agencies to ensure that it is completed in accordance with legal procedures. That’s the only issue," Kabulov clarified.
Earlier on Friday, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov noted that Russia is in the final stages of addressing the removal of the Taliban from the terrorist list. He added that Moscow acknowledges the Taliban's "readiness to fight the most dangerous wing of ISIS – 'Wilayat Khorasan' – which continues to receive support from the West, using the group for subversive actions under a false flag on our territory."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials