[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- PROMINENT WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST ARRESTED, SPARKS INTERNATIONAL OUTCRY – Matiullah Wesa, founder of the Pen Path and a staunch advocate of education rights for women and girls was arrested in Kabul yesterday. It is not clear what charges he faces and no explanation had been provided by the Taliban as of publication. His arrest launched a massive international response which included many states who have sought to normalize relations with the Taliban. Several international human rights organizations added their voices and called on the de facto regime to provide clarification and information regarding his whereabouts.
- TAJIKISTAN MAY BE SOFTENING ON THE TALIBAN – Some analysts and observers are taking the recent visit by a Taliban diplomatic team to the Afghan consulate in Khorog as a sign that Dushanbe may be exploring a gentler approach to the regime. A major factor that may be influencing any notions of normalizing relations is said to be the booming export market Tajikistan has with Afghanistan coupled with a worrisome decline in remittances from Russia. Most say that should the Tajik government accept a Taliban representative in Dushanbe, that would be proof positive the President has had a change of heart.
- AN AFGHAN MAN KILLS 2 IN PORTUGAL WITH A KNIFE – Confirmation has been received that a knife-wielding Afghan national has killed 2 women at an Ismaili Center in Lisbon. A third woman sustained injuries in the attack. The man was taken into custody and it is believed he was a student who had been studying English under the tutelage of the victims. No motive has been discovered so far but authorities are concerned the incident targeted a Shiite center and security forces have elevated their security posture.
- 3 FEMALE PROTESTORS WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED RECENTLY RELEASED ON BAIL – The women had been arrested during a protest on the weekend and were reportedly released on bail after several elders had intervened on their behalf. Sources close to the situation say the 3 were forced to sign a pledge not to discuss the incident with the press. The three were reportedly members of the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement and well-known among the human rights community.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- POSSIBLE PROTESTS IN KABUL OVER MATIULLAH WESA’S ARREST – Rumors that public demonstrations may take place to protest the arrest of Matiullah Wesa are circulating on some social media platforms. No official locations or times have been released but some are saying they may begin near the Pen Path foundation’s offices. Due to the proclivity of the Taliban’s security forces to employ violence to disrupt these events, we encourage at-risk Afghans to avoid any areas where demonstrations take place.
- WARNING TO AVOID MOSQUES, MALLS, AND AIRPORT FOR NEXT 72 HOURS IN KABUL – An unspecified threat has been circulating on social media sites that are warning citizens in Kabul to avoid these areas. No specific threat has been confirmed and no additional information has been provided. However, we felt obligated to include the information considering the recent threats and actions of ISIS-K.
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