Taliban Announce Arrests Over Human Trafficking, Fraud and Theft

The Taliban have announced the arrest of 20 individuals in Nimroz province on charges of human trafficking, document forgery and theft, according to a statement released by the group’s security directorate.

The arrests were carried out in multiple separate operations by Taliban security forces. In addition, six other individuals were detained on suspicion of theft. The group also reported the detention of two people on charges of practicing witchcraft in Samangan province, and one individual accused of motorcycle theft in Faryab province.

The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns from human rights groups over the Taliban’s handling of detainees. Observers point to the lack of judicial transparency, absence of oversight by independent bodies, and limited access to legal representation for defendants as major issues.

So far, the Taliban have not released any independent evidence to substantiate the charges against those arrested, and it remains unclear whether due legal process has been followed. The growing problem of human trafficking and the rise in organized crime, particularly along Afghanistan’s western borders, are seen as serious challenges. However, rights advocates warn that heavy-handed or opaque security measures by Taliban authorities are unlikely to resolve the crisis in a meaningful or lawful way.