By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – Afghan Vice President Abdul Rasheed Dostum on Saturday returned home after 14 months of self exile in Turkey.
A charged crowd comprising his Junbish-e-Islami party loyalists, government officials and politicians welcomed him at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in capital Kabul at 4.30 p.m. (1200GMT).
He went straight to his office where a large gathering to welcome him was planned.
Dostum left Afghanistan amid a criminal case against him by his former party-mate from his hometown in Jawzjan province.
Protests erupted in many provinces of Afghanistan demanding his return after his close aide, Nezamuddin Qaisari, commander of the local militia in Faryab province, was arrested by the government earlier this month on charges of human rights violation.
On Saturday, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansoori told journalists in Kabul that Dostum had received medical treatment in Turkey and is now fit to return.
He added that judicial proceedings in his case will continue.
Also, jailed Qaisari is being probed.
