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.

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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. (RFERL)