KABUL: Afghan authorities said yesterday the mayor of Kabul had been sentenced to a four-year prison term for abuse of power in what they described as a major corruption probe, but the mayor's office said he was at work as usual yesterday.

The move comes amid mounting pressure from Afghanistan's Western allies, especially Washington, on President Hamid Karzai to tackle the issue of graft and appoint professional ministers and officials in his next cabinet.

Deputy Attorney General Enayat Kamal said a court had handed down the four-year sentence against Kabul Mayor Abdul Ahad Sayebi after an extensive investigation by prosecutors.

"The Kabul mayor has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for misusing his authority ... and due to illegal activities, and an order for his arrest has been issued," Kamal said.

Reuters

(China Daily 12/09/2009 page11)