Documents leaked from Taliban databases have revealed that the group imprisoned at least 352 Afghan women and detained 1,081 others between March 2023 and March 2024 (1402 Solar Hijri Calendar).
The leaked files also indicate that dozens of foreign nationals, including six women, are in Taliban custody.
These documents, which contain sensitive information from several Taliban ministries and directorates, were recently published on a website named “Talibleaks.” A significant portion of the leaked files pertains to the Directorate of Prisons, covering both central and provincial prisons.
18,000 People Held in Taliban Custody
According to the leaked records, the total number of detainees in prisons and detention centres across Kabul and the provinces amounts to around 18,000 individuals, including 16,507 men and more than 1,300 Afghan women. Among the detainees, 63 foreign men are also in custody.
The total number of detained and imprisoned women includes 1,374 Afghan women and six foreign women. Of the foreign nationals held in Taliban prisons or detention centres, 31 men are prisoners, while 32 men are under detention. Additionally, two foreign women are imprisoned, and four others are detained.
Foreign Nationals Among Those Held
The leaked files include a detailed table listing the number of detainees across various provinces: In Herat, three men and two women have been imprisoned. In Nangarhar, 11 foreign men and one foreign woman are under detention. Kunar, which borders Pakistan, has reported five detained individuals. In Kandahar, one foreign man has been imprisoned, while eight others are detained.
The table does not specify the identities or nationalities of the foreign detainees.
Highest Number of Detainees in Kabul
The list, dated 5 October 2023, indicates that Kabul has the highest number of detainees. According to the report: 1,372 men are being held in Pul-e-Charkhi prison. 1,817 individuals are in various detention facilities across Kabul. The highest numbers of imprisoned women were recorded in: Herat 96 women; Kabul 70 women; Samangan 36 women. The highest numbers of detained women were found in Kabul 209 women; Herat 126 women; Balkh 112 women; and Samangan 14 women.
Provincial Breakdown of Imprisoned and Detained Women
The leaked documents also detail the number of female detainees and prisoners across other provinces: In Parwan – 19 prisoners, 25 detainees; Sar-e-Pol – 18 prisoners, 17 detainees; Jowzjan – 18 prisoners, 55 detainees; Kandahar – 14 prisoners, 45 detainees; Takhar – 35 detainees; Farah – 19 prisoners; Ghazni – 13 prisoners, 36 detainees, and Khost – 26 detainees.
Massive Data Breach a Blow to Taliban’s Information Security
This leaked table represents just a fraction of the thousands of classified documents now in the public domain. Portions of these records have been accessed by Afghanistan International.
The release of these files marks a major setback for the Taliban’s efforts to control information. The group has consistently attempted to restrict access to data and censor the media, but this breach has exposed significant details about their governance and security operations.
