Afghanistan

Activist Nargis Sadat, writer Zakaria Osuli freed from Taliban prison

Sources confirmed that women’s rights activist Nargis Sadat was released after nearly two months in Taliban prison on Monday afternoon.

Two sources from her relatives and friends said Sadat returned home at around 1 pm Kabul time on Monday.

Taliban so far has not commented on her release.

Meanwhile, Zakaria Osuli, a university lecturer and writer, was released from Taliban prison, his family confirmed. His family said he returned home nearly at around 12 pm local time on Monday. Taliban has not commented on his release. Osuli was arrested in Khairkhana area in the north of Kabul on Feb. 2.

This comes as the women’s protest movement on Sunday, April 9, said that women’s rights activist Nargis Sadat who was arrested by the Taliban in February “has been severely tortured” while in custody and is “ill.”

The movement said in a statement that Sadat’s feet and hands have turned “black” and are swollen and covered in blisters. The movement also said she was in a critical psychological condition.

The movement added that over the past two weeks, Sadat has been kept with two other women in one cell. These two women have been charged with having links with Daesh.

According to the movement, Sadat is a leading member of the women’s protest movement and was arrested in Kabul on Feb. 11. She had been ill at the time and was on her way to a hospital when detained.

Reports indicate that at least five people, including a journalist, a musician, two activists and a university lecturer, are in Taliban custody for the past few weeks.

Taliban did not comment on remarks by the women’s movement.