“The other junior official to accompany Nebrasul H. last year has effectively assumed the role of Afghan Consulate General in Bonn, western Germany, the broadcaster alleged, despite not being recognized as such by Berlin”

“The Ministry had originally intended to recall Abdul P. to Afghanistan, but he convinced them that he was still needed due to his experience”

“The broadcaster said it had obtained confidential documents showing that Nebrasaul H. acts and signs as charge d'affaires”

“Some countries maintain diplomatic branch offices in Bonn, as it was the capital of former West Germany and several federal ministries and agencies remain headquartered there”

“Germany does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan”

“The public broadcaster said he acts as a kind of Taliban 'ambassador,' noting that Germany is now the only EU member state where the Islamist group is effectively running an embassy”

“A man, named by ARD as Nebrasul H., is one of two low-level Afghan consular officials to arrive in Berlin last July to help prepare deportations of failed asylum seekers to Afghanistan”

“Under the 1961 Geneva Convention on Diplomatic Relations, before an ambassador or head of mission takes up a role, the receiving country is required to approve the appointment”

“Diplomatic sources told the broadcaster that he was not considered trustworthy enough as he was appointed by Afghanistan's pre-Taliban government of US-backed President Ashraf Ghani”

“The unilateral move appears to highlight the Islamist group's efforts to assert control over Afghanistan's diplomatic missions abroad”

“Abdul P. has even been allowed to continue living in the ambassador's residence in Berlin's upscale Zehlendorf district and drives a car with diplomatic license plates, the report said”

“The broadcaster said the German government was unaware of his more senior role, citing a German Foreign Ministry spokesperson as saying there had been 'no notification of any personnel changes at the Afghan diplomatic missions in Germany'”

“Second diplomat appointed by Kabul”

“The German government had approved his appointment in that role, ARD said”

“Government officials have repeatedly said that Berlin wants to ensure that Afghan missions are led by governments that preceded the Taliban”

“A Taliban member has been appointed the head of the Afghan embassy in Berlin without the German government's knowledge”

“ARD said the documents show that he is named as charge d'affaires within the Berlin embassy and during contact with Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry in Kabul”

“Ghani's appointee secretly demoted”

“ARD said the announcement of a new diplomat was meant to be kept secret from Germany's government until March, citing a letter from the Afghan Foreign Ministry”