Mahran Popal, a well-known Pashto-language poet from Afghanistan, has published a post on his Facebook page in which he shared an image from his time of detention and torture by the Taliban, while also recounting parts of his memories from the days of the fall of Herat.
Popal wrote that while searching for another image on the Facebook page of Jumagul Zandani, the former district governor of Zandani during the Republican era, he came across two photographs that brought back many memories for him. According to him, these images not only recalled past gatherings and events but also revived memories of the days of Herat’s fall and his own detention.
The Afghan poet stated that he was arrested on the second day after the fall of Herat and, after being transferred to Zandani district, was tortured behind the building shown in the images. He added that he was later moved to one of the rooms inside the same building.
According to Popal, there were plans to carry out his execution the following morning in the Zandani bazaar, based on a death sentence issued by the Taliban several months before the fall of Herat on charges of apostasy. However, he claims that he miraculously managed to escape that same night.
He further wrote that after his escape, he published an account of his arrest, torture, and survival, but some individuals, including close friends, did not believe his story. According to him, about two years later, after significant effort and expense, he obtained a video file and a photograph that had been taken by the Taliban on the night of his arrest.
Popal added that the video was later published by some media outlets and that he is now sharing the newly released image with the public for the first time.
He also stated that after the video was published, some of those who had previously rejected his account apologized to him, although he did not consider the matter particularly significant. Others, however, continued to claim that the video was fabricated and recorded in Iran.
In conclusion, Mahran Popal wrote that comparing details such as the color of the walls and the carpet in the images could help clarify the truth for those in doubt, although he himself no longer considers the issue of major importance.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
