On denial and other absurdities – Afghan Taliban leader Anas Haqqani interviewed by Der Spiegel (Susanne Koelbl):

‘DER SPIEGEL: According to international security experts, the Haqqani network is considered the most violent arm of the Afghan Taliban. It is said that you were instrumental in raising the money for this organization and that you were privy to the assassination plans.
Haqqani: The so-called Haqqani network that the West keeps talking about never existed. This is pure propaganda by our enemies. And I was a harmless religious student in his young twenties. So, please distinguish between theoretical support for certain goals and practical action. Of course, like most Afghans, I wanted to liberate our country from occupation so that we could live independently and in dignity, peace and prosperity, in an independent state.’

(…)

‘DER SPIEGEL: You were sentenced to death by two courts for being jointly responsible for serious terrorist attacks. But the sentence was never carried out because of your family's good international relations.
Haqqani: I was really innocent, a young religious student in my eighth year. I was only on holiday in Qatar. There, I visited friends and relatives who had just been released from Guantanamo.’

(…)

‘DER SPIEGEL: After almost five years in captivity, you were exchanged for two lecturers at Kabul's American University in 2019. Kevin King of the United States and the Timothy Weeks of Australia had been kidnapped by the Haqqani Network just for this purpose. Both men were held in captivity for a long time. Are you sorry today about what was done to them? Haqqani: I am not happy about what happened then. But I also had no knowledge of the plan to arrest the professors to exchange them for me. On the other hand, against all norms and rules, I was kept in solitary confinement for years. At some point, the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan found itself at such an extreme point where all avenues seemed to be blocked that it felt compelled to take special measures and steps to get its citizen – i.e., me – released.
DER SPIEGEL: Does one injustice justify another? Haqqani: Please, we did not choose this war. It was forced upon us. I hope that we will never have to suffer these things we suffered during those years again.’

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‘DER SPIEGEL: Why should these compatriots support your government? Women who once worked as doctors, police officers and judges are no longer allowed to practice their profession under your government. Countless security forces, activists and free spirits have fled out of fear of persecution, arrest and death. Meanwhile, in the north and east of the country, larger armed groups are fighting the Taliban. Should the armed opposition also return? Haqqani: Yes, the amnesty applies to everyone, without exception, including the armed opposition. The head of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Emir Akhundzada Haibatullah, has ordered this. We therefore call on all Afghans to return to their home country.
DER SPIEGEL: Again: Why should Afghans who are critical of the Taliban believe you? In one case we researched, a colonel had returned to his job at the Interior Ministry, and he suddenly got arrested one day. His body was returned to his family three days later without any explanation. The officer showed signs of torture. As you can imagine, there is a climate of fear among many former officers.
Haqqani: The leadership of the Emirate is very serious about the amnesty. Action will be taken against anyone who violates this general amnesty. They will be prosecuted and severely punished. The Emir has ordered the establishment of military courts. If you know of any examples of unjust persecution, please report them to us. There must be no revenge or reprisals against the representatives of the previous government.’

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‘DER SPIEGEL: The Germans would like to invest their tax money in a place where women's rights are promoted, girls go to school and female citizens can also lead a self-determined life.
Haqqani: You seem to have forgotten that we ourselves were attacked by the U.S. under the pretext of human rights. Yet we are the true flag-bearers of human rights. Human rights are part of our faith. Our religion not only recognizes rights for humans but even animal rights. For example, you are not allowed to hunt birds for sporting ambition, but only if you also eat them. That's why we proclaimed amnesty, that's why we advocate non-violence!’ Read the interview here.

The bird-part is my favorite.

Don’t hunt birds for sporting ambition.

Don’t torture and kill humans for sporting ambition, only if you have no other choice.