Malikzada, a 29-year-old Afghan refugee and an outspoken critic of extremism, was attacked in his room at a refugee hotel on February 13. He sustained injuries to his hand, shoulder, and chest during the assault.
Hampshire police issued a statement saying that two men, aged 25 and 29, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Malikzada, who came to the UK in September 2023 on a scholarship for a training course by the British Foreign Office, had a student visa. After completing his course in October 2024, he applied for asylum in the UK and stayed in the International Paters Hotel in Aldershot for more than two months.
The activist had previously warned about the Taliban
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’s influence in the UK. He had reported seeing Afghan refugees in the hotel who openly supported the Taliban.
Malikzada claims to have had arguments with pro-Taliban refugees in the hotel regarding women’s rights and the campaign to boycott Afghanistan’s cricket team.
The attack on Malikzada comes amid previous threats by some Taliban officials, who had warned opponents of the group living abroad. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of activists who oppose the Taliban and their supporters in exile.
The arrest of the two suspects marks an important step in addressing the rising tensions and threats faced by Afghan refugees who are critical of the Taliban. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by refugee communities, particularly those affected by the Taliban’s reach.