Afghan National Convicted of Murdering U.S. National Guard Soldier in Washington
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has convicted a 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, of murdering an American National Guard soldier. The incident took place in Washington, D.C., and the victim was identified as Sara Beckstrom, a member of the State National Guard.
According to U.S. media reports, Lakanwal was charged with opening fire on U.S. military personnel and, following a legal investigation, has been found guilty of premeditated murder. The case has sparked various reactions from local officials and American media outlets.
Although the U.S. Attorney’s Office has declared him guilty, Lakanwal, speaking virtually from a hospital during the court session, denied the charges and claimed innocence.
This case has been widely covered by U.S. media at a time when reports of unjust treatment of Afghan migrants in Western countries have been on the rise, particularly following the Taliban’s return to power. While individual crimes should be assessed independently, many Afghans have been compelled to migrate due to the instability and pressure under Taliban rule, facing significant legal and social challenges in host countries.
