Over 200 Former Afghan Troops Killed Since UK Data Leak, Says Report

In an interview with Shamshad TV on Wednesday, Nazari condemned what he described as “insults, humiliation, disrespect, and rising anti-Afghan sentiment” in Iran. He said the forced deportations, along with reported harassment and mistreatment, constitute clear violations of international law.

Nazari called on Iranian authorities to halt such practices and to respect the human dignity of Afghan nationals residing in the country. He argued that Afghan migrants deserve the same rights and protections that Iranian citizens enjoy in countries such as the United States and Canada.

He further noted that while many Afghans fled to Iran due to war and insecurity, Iranians who migrate to Western countries often do so in pursuit of economic opportunities, and yet are afforded protection under the law. He questioned the disparity, particularly as Iran frequently refers to such Western nations as “un-Islamic.”

Nazari emphasised that no country, under Islamic, humanitarian, or international legal principles, has the right to subject migrants to degrading treatment.

Referring to the longstanding cultural and historical ties between the two nations, Nazari said that violations of migrant rights, including property confiscation, withheld rental deposits, unpaid wages, and rising hostility, undermine bilateral relations and fuel public anger in Afghanistan.

He stressed that good-neighbourly relations require Iran to end such behaviour and uphold the dignity of migrants.

His comments follow earlier remarks by the Taliban’s acting prime minister, Hasan Akhund, who urged Iranian officials to deport individuals with dignity and in accordance with the principles of gradualism and good neighbourliness. Akhund warned that humiliating treatment only fuels resentment and animosity between the peoples of the two countries.

In recent weeks, Iran has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants in a wave of mass expulsions that observers have described as unprecedented in scale. The actions have drawn criticism both domestically and internationally.

According to the report, this figure marks a 31.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Tajik media, citing the agency, stated that nearly 80 percent of the total trade turnover, around USD 32 million, consisted of Tajikistan’s exports to Afghanistan.

The main exports from Tajikistan to Afghanistan include electricity, construction materials, cement, coal, mineral fertilisers, and food products.

Imports from Afghanistan were reported at approximately USD 8 million, consisting primarily of agricultural products such as figs, raisins, and cotton. Afghanistan also exports carpets, precious, and semi-precious stones to the Tajik market.

The student, identified as Sara Gowhari, a sociology major, was reportedly detained on 6 July by agents of the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Intelligence at the Taybad border crossing, where she had travelled to conduct independent research on migration issues.

Hengaw stated that Gowhari remains in custody without access to legal representation or contact with her family, ten days after her arrest. Her current condition and whereabouts are unknown, despite repeated inquiries by her relatives.

The rights group further alleged that Iranian authorities detained Gowhari without presenting a judicial warrant, raising concerns over due process and the treatment of foreign nationals involved in academic or civil society activities.

No official comment has been made by Iranian authorities regarding the arrest.

Majid Ahmadi, Director General for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs in Fars Province, confirmed the development, stating that those in possession of legal documentation such as Amayesh cards or valid passports will be allowed to exit the camps.

Ahmadi described the initiative as part of the most comprehensive migrant management plan implemented to date. He reported that nearly 42,000 undocumented foreign nationals have so far been deported from Fars Province to border areas, with over 99 percent identified as Afghan citizens.

In addition, Iranian authorities are working on a new employment regulation framework known as the “Kafeel” (Sponsor) scheme. The programme aims to formalise the employment status of foreign nationals residing in the country.

Ahmadi warned that hiring undocumented migrants constitutes a legal offence. He stressed that employers who violate the law will face legal consequences as part of the government’s enforcement measures.

The breach, which occurred in 2022, compromised the data of nearly 19,000 Afghans who had applied to relocate to the United Kingdom following the Taliban’s return to power. The previous Conservative government was informed of the breach in August 2023, nearly a year later, when portions of the sensitive data were discovered circulating on Facebook.

In response, the UK government launched a confidential relocation programme aimed at transferring at-risk individuals to safety. The operation, which began nine months after the breach, has so far brought approximately 4,500 Afghans to the UK. The programme was kept secret to avoid further exposure of sensitive information.

Details of the data breach were made public on Monday after a High Court judge lifted a publication ban. The leaked material included names, contact information, and family details of individuals potentially vulnerable to reprisals from the Taliban.

The UK Prime Minister’s Office has declined to say whether any official has faced disciplinary action over the incident. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police determined there were no grounds to pursue a criminal investigation.

According to the Ministry of Defence, around 600 former Afghan soldiers whose data was included in the breach remain in Afghanistan, along with an estimated 1,800 of their family members. While the confidential relocation programme is winding down, the government has pledged to honour all previous resettlement offers.

The programme has already cost the government £400 million, with future costs expected to range between £400 million and £450 million.

The breach was attributed to an unnamed Ministry of Defence official and is being described as an “error.” In addition to Afghan applicants, the data leak also affected British Members of Parliament and senior military personnel. Those impacted were officially notified on Tuesday, 15 July.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Defence Secretary Healey issued a public apology for the incident.

Relocation Scheme Cancelled Following Review

A review commissioned by the Ministry of Defence, the summary of which was released on Tuesday, revealed that by May 2025 more than 16,000 individuals affected by the breach had been relocated to the UK, many through pre-existing resettlement pathways.

The confidential relocation directive was issued in 2023 after concerns were raised that public disclosure of the breach could result in extrajudicial killings or severe violence against those named.

While initial figures cited nearly 19,000 affected individuals, the High Court’s summary judgment stated that the leaked dataset contained personal information for more than 33 individuals who had formally submitted relocation applications.