In the provinces of Badakhshan, Takhar, Kunduz, and Jowzjan, a number of citizens who participated in recent protests have reported an increase in pressure and new methods used to identify and detain protesters.
Local sources told media on Thursday, 24 Thawr, that after images and videos of the protests were published in the media and on social networks, Taliban intelligence forces have attempted to identify participants using individuals’ physical details.
According to these sources, in some areas, residents were summoned to mosques and public places so that intelligence forces could identify those appearing in the videos. In some cases, attention was reportedly paid to clothing, shoes, and personal belongings.
Several sources in Badakhshan and Takhar claim that some individuals were detained after being identified and transferred for interrogation. According to them, some detainees spoke of psychological pressure and harsh treatment.
A young man in Badakhshan, who wished to remain anonymous, said that after participating in a protest in Argo district and the publication of a video of it, he was arrested a few days later by individuals affiliated with Taliban intelligence. He claims that during his detention, he was interrogated about the organizers of the protest and the people who were chanting slogans.
In Chah Ab district of Takhar, another protester said that after protest images were published in the media, Taliban intelligence forces gathered local residents in a mosque and showed them the videos. According to him, several people were taken to an unknown location after being identified.
The source added that some individuals, after being released, reported experiencing harsh treatment and threats. Meanwhile, a source in Kunduz claims that Taliban forces attempted to extract commitments from protesters not to participate in future demonstrations.
According to this source, some of those detained were held for several days. In Jowzjan, an eyewitness said that the climate of fear has significantly increased following the protests.
He added that many young people, fearing arrest, have deleted or hidden their mobile phones and social media accounts. At the same time, a family of a detainee in Badakhshan claims that their family member returned home after several days of detention in a poor mental state.
According to the family, he is unwilling to speak publicly for fear of being arrested again. The Taliban have not officially responded to these claims.
However, human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern in recent years over the detention, pressure, and harsh treatment of protesters and civil society activists.
Afghanistan under Taliban rule has seen increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, civil protests, and media activities in recent years, with citizens reporting a growing climate of fear and intelligence monitoring across various parts of the country.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
