Canadian Police Investigate Disappearance of Afghan Diplomat's Wife as Murder Case

Canadian police have confirmed they are treating the disappearance of Afghan woman Mojgan Aini as a murder investigation. Aini vanished in September 2022.

Searches by Canadian investigators have not yet yielded results, and the probe continues. Aini, who is about 160 centimeters tall with a medium build and long straight black hair, has been the subject of multiple missing persons alerts issued by police, urging the public to report any sightings.

The case traces back to 2017, when Mohammad Yima Aini, then an advisor at Afghanistan's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York and aged 46, was accused of severely beating his 30-year-old wife. The New York Post reported that he pulled her hair, slapped and punched her face and head, leaving her right eye swollen and bruised. She was hospitalized, and hospital staff alerted police, but officers could not arrest him due to diplomatic immunity.

Mohammad Yima Aini denied the assault in an interview with the New York Post, stating "nothing happened."

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry recalled him to Kabul following media coverage. Spokesperson Shakib Mustaghni said at the time that documents related to the allegations would be examined in Afghan courts per national laws.

However, Banafsha Ahmadi, Mojgan's sister now living in Germany after fleeing to the country following Kabul's fall to the Taliban, told Afghanistan International that the family instead moved to Canada with their three children. Mojgan remained in contact with her family in Kabul until her disappearance in September 2022.

Ahmadi said the family repeatedly asked Mohammad Yima Aini for proof of Mojgan's well-being but received none. They then directly contacted Canadian authorities to report her missing.

Afghanistan International sought comment from Mohammad Yima Aini via a phone number but received no response. In responses to the outlet's inquiries, Canadian police confirmed the murder investigation status but stated no suspects have been charged and no further details are available as the probe is ongoing. Police also said no body has been found.