Several ISIS Members Arrested in Alborz Province of Iran

Apr 6, 2024, 12:50 GMT+1

The police in Iran's Alborz province announced the arrest of several ISIS members planning suicide attacks during Eid al-Fitr.

According to Iranian security officials quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Saturday, one of the detainees was a senior member of ISIS.

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Taliban Enforces Public Flogging For Six In Logar For Extramarital Relations

Apr 6, 2024, 11:47 GMT+1

The Taliban's Supreme Court disclosed that six individuals were publicly flogged for engaging in extramarital relations in Logar Province, according to a group’s statement released on Saturday.

The action followed a ruling from the primary court of the Taliban in Logar.

The press release, citing a judge affiliated with the group in Logar, noted that local Taliban officials were in attendance during the flogging.

Details from the court indicate that the sentences varied, with the first individual receiving 35 lashes and one year of suspended imprisonment, the second 25 lashes alongside a similar one-year suspended term, the third and fourth each subjected to 39 lashes and one year suspended imprisonment, and both the fifth and sixth receiving 35 lashes and one year of suspended imprisonment as well.

With the Taliban's reinstatement of governance in Afghanistan, the regime has revived the use of corporal punishment methods such as flogging, amputation, and execution.

Human rights advocates contend that the Taliban's judicial processes fall short of fair trial standards, accusing the courts of applying a dual standard in their treatment of group members compared to ordinary citizens.

Human rights groups have consistently called on the Taliban to cease such brutal and rights-violating punishments, although the Taliban maintains its stance on enforcing penalties under what they claim to be "Islamic Sharia."

Young Supporters Are Straying From Right Path, Says Taliban’s Foreign Ministry Official

Apr 6, 2024, 10:26 GMT+1

Shafie Azam, the Economic Relations Officer of the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has stated that young supporters of the group are veering off course.

In a note on X social media platform, he wrote, "We, the youth, are heading down the wrong path. Instead of aligning the nation, we are pushing them away."

Azam added that following the Taliban's victory, the group's objective was to establish stability in the country, distance the nation from the "enemy," and get the support of the people. He said that this was also the philosophy behind the group's public statements.

This Taliban official did not provide an explanation for the behaviour of young members of the group who he described as straying from the right path. However, it seems that increasing dissatisfaction among the people with the group may be the reason.

Previously, some senior Taliban members have repeatedly voiced their opposition to public criticism.

Several Taliban officials who had criticised the group over the past two and a half years have been isolated or imprisoned.

The Taliban has repeatedly detained and imprisoned citizens or analysts for their critical remarks.

NRF Claims Killing Two Taliban Members in Kabul

Apr 6, 2024, 09:26 GMT+1

The National Resistance Front (NRF) reported that during an attack on a Taliban base in Kabul, two Taliban members had been killed and one got injured.

The Front stated that the attack occurred at 8 PM on Friday, in Kabul's fourth police district.

NRF has also shared a video of the attack on X social media platform. The footage, captured from a distance, indicates a bright flash and the sound of an explosion.

The front had claimed that no harm was caused to local residents or the NRF forces.

Previously, NRF had reported that during an attack on a Taliban base in Takhar, one Taliban member was killed and two others were injured.

In recent weeks, NRF's attacks against the Taliban have intensified. The Taliban refrains from commenting on these incidents.

Three Female Protesters & Their Brother Released From Taliban Prison In Kabul

Apr 5, 2024, 16:26 GMT+1

The Rezaei family has confirmed to Afghanistan International that three of their daughters and one son have been released from Taliban’s detention.

Azada Rezaei (25), Nadia Rezaei (17), Elaha Rezaei (14), along with their brother Yahya Rezaei (22), were detained on March 27 in western Kabul.

Family members reported that the four individuals were released from prison on Monday, April 1. They declined to provide details about their health condition.

Sources close to the detained girls informed Afghanistan International on March 29 that Taliban forces raided the Rezaei family's home in Dashte Barchi area of Kabul around 6pm on March 27, detaining the three girls and their brother.

Earlier, the Taliban had also detained Tamana Rezaei, another sister of these three women activists, and released her after 29 days.

Despite Taliban’s Dissolution of Parties, Hekmatyar Appears With Party Flag

Apr 5, 2024, 15:33 GMT+1

Members of Hezb-e-Islami party have shared images on social media showing Gulbuddin Hekmatyar receiving his supporters at his new home with his party's flag behind him.

These images surfaced even though the Taliban's Ministry of Justice has emphasised on the prohibition of activities of political parties in Afghanistan through a statement.

On Thursday, the Taliban's Ministry of Justice declared that political party activities are "illegal”. The ministry warned political activists of "legal and religious" consequences for repeating political activities.

This Taliban ministry stated that political party activities have been declared as a prohibited act following the group’s takeover of power in 2021, and the directorate of political parties has been revoked and removed from the ministry's structures.

The ministry noted that some officials of political parties have recently "taken action and performed activities from their dissolved party addresses”.

Shortly after the official warning from the Ministry of Justice, promotional pages belonging to the Hezb-e-Islami Party, led by Hekmatyar, published photos of the party leader meeting with his guests at his new residence.

In these images, Hekmatyar is seen with the flag of the party next to his chair.

Previously, Habib-ur-Rahman Hekmatyar, the son of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, responded to the statements made by the Taliban's Minister of Justice, highlighting that numerous past regimes had opposed Hezb-e-Islami. However, rather than fading away, the party has grown stronger. He underscored that Hezb-e-Islami "will not dissolve or be erased by mere speeches”.

Last week, Abdul Hakim Sharei, the Taliban’s Minister of Justice warned Gulbuddin Hekmatyar that mentioning a political party in Afghanistan under the control of the group is considered a "crime”.

After several days of verbal confrontation, it seems that both sides are steadfast in their stances. The Taliban's insistence on banning political parties appears to be aimed at curbing Hekmatyar's political activities and disrupting his relations with party supporters.

However, Hekmatyar is also trying to show that he is not paying attention to the Taliban's ban on party activities and is persisting with his political endeavours.

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Taliban Enforces Public Flogging For Six In Logar For Extramarital Relations

Apr 6, 2024, 11:47 GMT+1

The Taliban's Supreme Court disclosed that six individuals were publicly flogged for engaging in extramarital relations in Logar Province, according to a group’s statement released on Saturday.

The action followed a ruling from the primary court of the Taliban in Logar.

The press release, citing a judge affiliated with the group in Logar, noted that local Taliban officials were in attendance during the flogging.

With the Taliban's reinstatement of governance in Afghanistan, the regime has revived the use of corporal punishment methods such as flogging, amputation, and execution.

Young Supporters Are Straying From Right Path, Says Taliban’s Foreign Ministry Official

Apr 6, 2024, 10:26 GMT+1

Shafie Azam, the Economic Relations Officer of the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has stated that young supporters of the group are veering off course.

In a note on X social media platform, he wrote, "We, the youth, are heading down the wrong path. Instead of aligning the nation, we are pushing them away."

Previously, some senior Taliban members have repeatedly voiced their opposition to public criticism.

Several Taliban officials who had criticised the group over the past two and a half years have been isolated or imprisoned.

The Taliban has repeatedly detained and imprisoned citizens or analysts for their critical remarks.

NRF Claims Killing Two Taliban Members in Kabul

Apr 6, 2024, 09:26 GMT+1

The National Resistance Front (NRF) reported that during an attack on a Taliban base in Kabul, two Taliban members had been killed and one got injured.

The Front stated that the attack occurred at 8 PM on Friday, in Kabul's fourth police district.

NRF has also shared a video of the attack on X social media platform. The footage, captured from a distance, indicates a bright flash and the sound of an explosion.

The front had claimed that no harm was caused to local residents or the NRF forces.

Previously, NRF had reported that during an attack on a Taliban base in Takhar, one Taliban member was killed and two others were injured.

In recent weeks, NRF's attacks against the Taliban have intensified. The Taliban refrains from commenting on these incidents.

Three Female Protesters & Their Brother Released From Taliban Prison In Kabul

Apr 5, 2024, 16:26 GMT+1

The Rezaei family has confirmed to Afghanistan International that three of their daughters and one son have been released from Taliban’s detention.

Azada Rezaei (25), Nadia Rezaei (17), Elaha Rezaei (14), along with their brother Yahya Rezaei (22), were detained on March 27 in western Kabul.

Family members reported that the four individuals were released from prison on Monday, April 1. They declined to provide details about their health condition.

Earlier, the Taliban had also detained Tamana Rezaei, another sister of these three women activists, and released her after 29 days.

Despite Taliban’s Dissolution of Parties, Hekmatyar Appears With Party Flag

Apr 5, 2024, 15:33 GMT+1

Members of Hezb-e-Islami party have shared images on social media showing Gulbuddin Hekmatyar receiving his supporters at his new home with his party's flag behind him.

These images surfaced even though the Taliban's Ministry of Justice has emphasised on the prohibition of activities of political parties in Afghanistan through a statement.

The ministry noted that some officials of political parties have recently "taken action and performed activities from their dissolved party addresses”.

In these images, Hekmatyar is seen with the flag of the party next to his chair.

However, Hekmatyar is also trying to show that he is not paying attention to the Taliban's ban on party activities and is persisting with his political endeavours.

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