KABUL -- Afghanistan's authorities say they have launched an investigation into allegations that some members of President Ashraf Ghani's administration have given out government posts in exchange for sexual favors.
Jamshid Rasuli, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, told reporters in Kabul on May 28 that a team had been formed to investigate the claims.
The accusations were made by General Habibullah Ahmadzai, a former senior adviser to Ghani, in a TV interview last week.
Ahmadzai, who did not provide any evidence, said "circles" inside the Afghan presidential palace were asking women for sexual favors -- offering coveted government jobs in return.
The allegations have prompted condemnation in Kabul and Afghans have taken to social media to demand a probe.
Haroon Chakhansuri, a spokesman for Ghani, said that the accusations were "false and baseless."
And Nargis Nehan, the acting minister of mines and petroleum, tweeted on May 25: "I can say with confidence that these allegations are baseless."
In an interview with Khurshid TV on May 23, Ahmadzai said that "people were working systematically to promote adultery in the [presidential] palace."
Rasuli said investigators had asked Ahmadzai to deliver any evidence he may have to support his claims by May 30.