Taliban morality enforcers have detained a man in the western city of Herat for shaving his beard, local sources said on Tuesday.
The sources said members of the Taliban’s vice and virtue department took the man, identified as Aminullah Azizi, into custody early on Tuesday morning. His whereabouts remain unknown, they said.
The sources added that similar incidents have occurred previously in Herat, with residents facing harsh treatment by Taliban morality enforcers for shaving their beards.
Taliban have not commented on the detention or the reasons for it.
Under regulations issued by the Taliban’s vice and virtue ministry, men are prohibited from shaving their beards, and officials have said those who violate the rule will face punishment.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced strict social codes across Afghanistan, drawing criticism from the United Nations and international rights groups.
