Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.
I'm Abubakar Siddique, senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm watching in the days ahead.
The Key Issue
The unrecognized Taliban government in Afghanistan has detained a political commentator and former university lecturer.
Jawed Mohmand was detained by Taliban intelligence agents outside his home in the capital, Kabul, on October 19, his family said.
A relative of Mohmand, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that he was "not faring well psychologically" in detention.
The Taliban has not revealed the reason for his detention. But his arrest came soon after the Taliban barred him from appearing as a guest on private Afghan television stations.
Mohmand was not known for his criticism of the Taliban and appeared at times to support the extremist group's policies.
Why It's Important: Mohmand's detention is part of the Taliban's crackdown on dissent.
The hard-line Islamist group has arrested and jailed scores of academics, political commentators, teachers, journalists, and activists since seizing power in 2021.
Last month, the Taliban detained Jawed Kohistani, a well-known political and military analyst, for over two weeks.
Shahrazad Akbar, executive director of the Rawadari rights organization, told Radio Azadi that the Taliban was creating a society "where no one dares to criticize its repressive policies" because the group "does not believe that rulers should be accountable to the people."
What's Next: The Taliban's crackdown on dissent is likely to continue.
Journalists, activists, and academics who criticize the extremist group are likely to be targeted.
The Taliban has further stamped out free speech in recent months. In September, the group imposed new restrictions on Afghan broadcasters, banning live broadcasts of political shows and on-air criticism of its policies.
What To Keep An Eye On
The Taliban has said that two Afghans were killed in a shooting incident in Iran earlier this month.
Local reports and rights groups said Iranian border guards fired on and killed Afghan migrants seeking to cross into Iran from Pakistan on October 13. Iranian officials have denied the incident took place.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a Taliban spokesman, said the group's investigation found that "explosions and gunfire" targeted Afghan migrants, some of whom were wounded.
The United Nations and international rights groups have demanded a full investigation into the deadly incident.
Why It's Important: Iran has been the main destination for Afghans fleeing Taliban rule.
Many Afghans in Iran, who number several million, have complained of increasing violence and harassment at the hands of the Iranian authorities.
The Islamic republic has deported over 1 million Afghans in the past year.
That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org
Until next time,
Abubakar Siddique
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