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Kabul (dpa) - An exceptionally popular and expensive horse has been poisoned in Afghanistan.
This was confirmed by the owner of the "Star of Wachsch", Hajji Din Mohammed.
Doctors in the northeastern province of Badakhshan opened the belly of the Buskaschi horse after its death and found that it had been poisoned.
So far there are no suspects.
The black horse with a white forehead had become known in northeastern Afghanistan for participating in buskashi competitions.
Buskaschi is a rough equestrian game similar to polo, except that instead of a ball, a headless goat or a headless calf is thrown into a circle of chalk.
It is said that the «Stern von Wachsch» eclipsed all other horses.
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According to the owner, the horse came from Russia.
When it came to Afghanistan, it was first called "Diwana" - crazy - because it didn't let anyone ride it and threw off even the most experienced and famous riders.
Eventually it could be tamed by the buskashi rider Ghulam.
"We have never seen a horse like this in the history of Afghanistan," said the head of the Badakhshan Buskaschi Association, Mohammed Tahir Asami.
Among other things, it won the Buskaschi Cup in Badachschan every year.
Thousands of people from several provinces came to buskaschi games because of the "Star of Wachsch".
That the horse has now been poisoned is a great loss.
Wealthy traders and influential people in the region invest large sums in the horses.
According to owner Mohammed, he bought the horse three years ago for $ 40,000.
He was even offered $ 100,000, but he wouldn't have sold it for $ 1 million.
"My horse was a genius."
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The head of the buskashi association said everyone wants the best horse to be famous.
There is rivalry here.
On social media, people expressed their horror at the poisoning.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210426-99-359049 / 2
Tweet with video of the horse