Taliban Deputy PM Proposes Hosting Next ECO Summit In Kabul

In a report published on Friday, Hengaw said the executions were carried out on various charges, including political and religious offences, murder, drug-related crimes, rape, and armed robbery.

According to the group, only 19 of the executions were officially acknowledged by Iranian authorities. At least 17 prisoners were reportedly executed in secret, without notifying their families.

The report also highlighted that 16 political prisoners were executed in June on charges of “spying for Israel.”

Hengaw noted that two women were among those executed during the month, one in Qom and another in Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj. One was convicted of affiliation with religious groups, while the other faced the death penalty for premeditated murder.

The rights group previously reported that at least 617 people, including 40 Afghan nationals, were executed in Iran during the first half of 2025.

Hengaw expressed grave concern over the rise in executions, arbitrary arrests, systemic violence, and other human rights violations across the country. The organisation called on the international community to increase pressure on Iranian authorities to halt the escalating use of capital punishment.

Speaking at the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit on Friday, 5 July, Mirziyoyev welcomed the participation of a delegation from Afghanistan’s interim government, led by Taliban Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

He said that after a long pause, a delegation from Afghanistan’s "interim administration" is attending the summit.

This marks the first time in four years that the Taliban have been invited to an ECO heads-of-state summit. The summit was hosted in the city of Khankendi, Azerbaijan.

President Mirziyoyev did not comment on Russia’s recent move to formally recognise the Taliban government.

Speaking at the 17th ECO Summit on Friday, Baradar claimed that Russia had acknowledged the Taliban due to what he described as the group's “balanced, economy-focused foreign policy.” He argued that the Taliban administration has created new opportunities for development and regional connectivity.

Baradar said the Taliban are prepared to collaborate with ECO countries on implementing strategic projects across the region. He voiced strong support for the proposed North–South Corridor in Asia, calling it a potential “new chapter” in strengthening economic cooperation and integration among member states.

This marks the first time in four years that the Taliban have been invited to attend an ECO heads-of-state summit. During his remarks, Baradar urged member countries to contribute to the reconstruction and expansion of regional transit routes through Afghanistan. He also proposed that Kabul host the next ECO summit.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the remarks in response to a question about whether Putin was preparing for talks with the Taliban leadership.

At present, there are no such plans, Peskov said adding that, however, within the framework of bilateral relations, contacts at various levels will continue.

While Moscow has increased its engagement with the Taliban in recent months, including accepting a Taliban-appointed ambassador, Peskov’s comments indicate that top-level communication remains off the table for now.

Informed sources told Afghanistan International on Friday that the detainees include Gul Ahmad Shahin, the Taliban-appointed police chief of Khash; Qari Nawid, head of criminal investigations; and Qari Wajid, another local commander. The three men were reportedly arrested for refusing to suppress protesters and allegedly siding with local residents.

The Taliban have also launched search operations in the district, leading many civilians to flee to the surrounding mountains, according to local sources.

In addition to detaining their own officials, Taliban forces have arrested several residents and community elders, including Mawlawi Roh-ul-Bayan, an influential local cleric. They are accused of organising and encouraging the anti-Taliban demonstrations.

All detainees have reportedly been transferred to Fayzabad, the capital of Badakhshan province. The Taliban’s local administration has not issued any official comment regarding the arrests.

The unrest began earlier this week when Taliban forces attempted to eradicate poppy crops in Khash. The operation triggered a wave of public anger and led to clashes in which at least eight people were killed and dozens wounded, according to eyewitnesses and hospital sources.

On Thursday, the Taliban reportedly arrested at least 37 individuals in connection with the protests. Local sources say the main market in Khash remains closed and that Taliban fighters are mistreating civilians. Residents are reportedly staying indoors for fear of arrest, while Taliban units continue to monitor and patrol the area intensively.

The incident underscores growing tensions between Taliban forces and communities in northern Afghanistan, where local resistance to the group’s policies particularly regarding poppy eradication has been mounting.