Body Of Missing Afghan Woman Found Dismembered In Iran; Man Faces Murder Charge

Ciotti affirmed that Massoud can count on his and his party’s continued support.

Massoud travelled to France to attend a conference hosted by the Collège des Bernardins on 12 June. On the sidelines of the event, he held meetings with several French politicians, including Ciotti.

Following their meeting, Ciotti posted on X (formerly Twitter), describing Massoud as “a symbol of the struggle for civilisation, freedom, and democracy against the Taliban and Islamist extremism.” He stated that Massoud’s fight was also shared by The Republicans and expressed pride in supporting his cause.

“Ahmad Massoud can always count on our support,” Ciotti wrote.

Massoud has long-standing ties with France, a connection rooted in the legacy of his late father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, the famed anti-Taliban commander of the Northern Alliance. The younger Massoud has made frequent visits to France and was previously hosted as a special guest by President Emmanuel Macron.

His ongoing resistance against Taliban rule continues to draw international attention and support, particularly from Western political figures and advocates of democracy and human rights.

The ministry said the two officials exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional issues, and broader international matters. Among the key topics discussed were the status of Iran-US negotiations and developments in Afghanistan, though no specific details regarding their conversation on Afghanistan were disclosed.

Norway has maintained limited engagement with the Taliban since their return to power in 2021. While it hosted a high-level Taliban delegation, led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, in January 2022, Norway has since expressed concerns over the group’s continued restrictions on women and girls.

Though Norway accepted Najibullah Sherkhan as First Secretary at the Afghan Embassy earlier this year, the move sparked criticism from European civil society groups and women’s rights activists. Notably, no Taliban representatives were invited to this year’s Oslo Forum, signalling a shift in Norway’s stance.

Norwegian officials have stated that while humanitarian engagement will continue, formal political relations with the Taliban will remain limited due to ongoing human rights concerns.

Rezai, who had been living in Tehran, was abducted in April while on her way to work. On the evening of 3 June, parts of her dismembered body were found by residents in Varamin, a suburb southeast of the capital.

Despite the gruesome nature of the case, Iranian judicial authorities have not released official details about the investigation. Multiple journalists and media activists say they have received warnings from state bodies instructing them not to report, pursue, or republish news related to the murder.

These restrictions have sparked outrage, particularly among Afghan migrant communities and women’s rights groups, who have condemned the killing and the apparent efforts to silence public discourse around it.

Eyewitnesses at Rezai’s burial told Ensaf News that security forces were heavily present at the ceremony and prohibited photography or filming. A relative of the victim said the family had been pressured not to seek retribution (qisas) for the crime and was barred from speaking to the media.

Human Rights Groups Demand Accountability

Human rights activists have described Rezai’s killing as emblematic of the systemic violence faced by migrant women in Iran. Afghan women’s organisations have called for an immediate and impartial investigation by Iranian authorities, and urged international bodies to intervene to protect the rights and safety of migrant populations.

In an official statement, the Afghanistan Women’s Light of Freedom Movement demanded transparency and legal accountability for those responsible. They also called on international organisations to apply pressure on Tehran to ensure justice and uphold the dignity of migrants.

“Justice for Kubra Rezai and support for all voiceless women,” the group declared.

Speaking at the Tashkent Investment Forum, Mirziyoyev underscored the importance of fostering peaceful and sustainable development in Afghanistan, which he said is vital for regional stability and progress.

“Another issue on the global agenda is supporting the peaceful and sustainable development of neighbouring Afghanistan,” Mirziyoyev said, according to the official website of the Uzbek presidency. “Now more than ever, it is important to establish constructive dialogue with the authorities in Kabul and to prevent their international isolation.”

While Uzbekistan has not formally recognised the Taliban administration, it maintains active diplomatic and economic relations with the group, in line with its broader regional engagement strategy.

The Uzbek president stressed that stability and economic growth in Afghanistan are crucial for the long-term development of neighbouring countries.

In a similar appeal made in April, Mirziyoyev urged the international community not to forget Afghanistan, citing its strategic significance and the potential consequences of disengagement.

Speaking at the 18th Meeting of Heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Counterterrorism Agencies in Moscow, Bortnikov said the leadership of international terrorist organisations is increasingly relying on militants active in Afghanistan and Syria. He also highlighted the mobilisation of former prisoners released in Syria, many of whom are citizens of Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.

Bortnikov stressed that CIS member states face rising security threats linked to instability in the Middle East, Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia. He pointed to regime change efforts in Syria, the war in Gaza, pressure on Iran, and the ongoing crisis in Libya as key drivers of global Islamic radicalism.

“In the past year alone, CIS intelligence services have prevented 550 terrorist and extremist crimes, identified more than 5,500 individuals linked to terrorism and extremism, and prosecuted over 1,500,” Bortnikov said.

His comments echo recent warnings by Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, who, during a meeting of the CSTO Defence Ministers’ Council, cautioned against the threat of radical groups infiltrating neighbouring countries from Afghanistan. Belousov said more than 20 extremist groups, with over 15,000 fighters, are currently operating in Afghanistan.

In response, the Taliban rejected the claims, stating that such groups were originally formed for intelligence purposes during the US military presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s spokesperson’s office insisted that no unauthorised armed groups now exist in the country.

However, the Taliban recently reported conducting a raid against ISIS in Kabul. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban forces killed two ISIS members and seized weapons and ammunition during a Monday night operation in the capital’s 15th security district.