Taliban Supreme Court Says 16,460 Prisoners Pardoned in Five Years

The Taliban administration’s Supreme Court says that over the past five years, 16,460 prisoners have been pardoned and released from prison based on the directive of the group’s leader and the order of the head of the institution.

The body also said the sentences of another 11,159 prisoners were reduced during the same period. The Supreme Court’s report did not publish details about the types of cases, the criteria for pardon, or the identities of the prisoners.

In another part of the report, the Taliban Supreme Court said 14 military courts are active in various provinces of Afghanistan and are handling cases related to military and security forces.

According to the body, the head of the Taliban Supreme Court has traveled to a number of provinces over the past five years and has spoken with local officials about addressing people’s problems, improving judicial processes and coordination among local departments.

The Taliban Supreme Court has previously also repeatedly announced the release of prisoners and reductions in prison terms. According to one earlier report by the body, 3,204 prisoners were released in one case and the sentences of another 4,317 prisoners were reduced.