RASC News Agency: Reports from Herat Province in western Afghanistan indicate that the Taliban are surreptitiously introducing camphor into the meals of prisoners in this province. An informed source in Herat Province, speaking on condition of anonymity to the RASC news agency on Friday, Feb 16, stated that the Taliban are infusing camphor into the food and drinking water of prisoners in this province to mitigate gender-related issues.
The source adds that the practice of adulterating prisoners’ meals with Camphor in Herat Province has persisted from the Republic government to the Taliban era, and most prisoners in this province have suffered myriad illnesses. According to the source, some prisoners in Herat Province, who have better economic means, prepare separate meals and abstain from consuming prison meals. The source further asserts that some prisoners in Herat Province, afflicted by illnesses caused by Comphor-laced foods, express discontent with the Taliban authorities in the central prison of Herat Province.
As per this source, prisoners confront various challenges, including negligence in addressing their criminal cases, disregard for medical care, and other concerns. Furthermore, another source in Herat Province informed the RASC news agency that most prisoners in the blocks of this prison have endured various illnesses due to unhealthy food. The source reveals that apart from adulterating prisoners’ meals with Camphor, the Taliban also administer medicinal substances to them to suppress their grievances due to existing problems.
According to the source, some prisoners in Herat Province have succumbed to lack of medical attention, and their bodies have been handed over to their families. However, Bahram, a resident of Herat Province, informed RASC, “Issues persist across all aspects for people, and the prison exacerbates these problems manifold across different segments of society.” He adds, “Many prisoners in Herat Province are innocent and have been incarcerated since the early days of Taliban rule, yet no measures have been taken for their release.”
Meanwhile, Faiz Amiri, a civil activist in Herat Province, conveyed to RASC, “The Taliban group manages the detention of individuals in cities and districts.” He adds, “The Taliban group receives funds based on the detention of each individual from various organizations, particularly the United Nations, to furnish them with a list of prisoners.” He articulates that one of the reasons prisoners have not been released by the Taliban is the issue of excessive funds from the United Nations.
Taliban authorities in Herat Province have refrained from commenting on this matter thus far, noting that Herat Province prison in western Afghanistan is considered one of the largest prisons in the country, accommodating a significant number of detainees.
