Abdul Quddus Yasinzada, the founder of the Resalat educational foundation in Herat, has been arrested by the Taliban, sources told Amu on Saturday.
Yasinzada, a well-known figure in Herat’s education sector, was reportedly detained more than 10 days ago. The reasons for his arrest remain unclear, and the Taliban have yet to comment on the matter.
Yasinzada’s detention adds to growing concerns over the Taliban’s increasingly repressive measures, particularly in the education sector. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have closed schools for girls above grade six and banned female students from attending universities.
In May, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, raised alarms over the arbitrary detention of journalists and individuals critical of the Taliban. Yasinzada’s arrest appears to fit within this pattern of targeting dissenting voices and restricting freedoms in the country.
