Four local musicians, who were arrested by the Taliban intelligence on January 10 in Ali Abad district of the northeastern province of Kunduz, have been sentenced to 15 months in prison, a source from the province said on Monday.
The musicians were reportedly detained for hosting an overnight gathering and playing the dambura, a traditional string instrument, at a guesthouse in Khil-e-Gada village.
The detainees have been identified as Amir Shah, Almas, Feraidoun, and Shamsullah, all residents of Khil-e-Gada and Qasem Ali villages in the district.
Taliban have yet to issue any public statement regarding the case.
Since their return to power in August 2021, Taliban have banned music and musicians, besides other restrictions imposed by them on people’s freedoms.
The UN and other organizations have repeatedly condemned such actions as violations of fundamental human rights.
