RASC News Agency: Over the past three years, the Taliban have systematically detained and imprisoned political activists, writers, journalists, and human rights defenders on various charges. Recently, Javed Kohistani, a prominent political analyst, was arrested in Kabul by the Taliban. His family, along with numerous human rights advocates, has expressed grave concern regarding his health, calling for his immediate and unconditional release. According to sources, Kohistani was arrested on Thursday, September 26, in the Sarai Shamali area of Kabul’s 17th district. He had been undergoing heart treatment and requires medication, yet there is no information about his condition since being taken into Taliban custody.
One source revealed that Kohistani had continued to live a normal life after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. Despite having numerous opportunities to flee, he chose to remain in Kabul under the guarantee of Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs. Kohistani’s family has stated they are in complete darkness regarding his current status and have been unable to determine where he is being held, despite seeking answers from various Taliban-controlled channels. They stress that Kohistani has always championed “goodness, justice, and equality” and remain hopeful that he will soon return to his family.
Civil society and human rights activists have formed a committee to advocate for Kohistani’s release, urging the international community to intervene and pressure the Taliban for his freedom. The committee has released a statement demanding Kohistani’s unconditional release from detention. Kohistani’s arrest is particularly significant as he has not adopted any formal political stance nor participated in media discussions concerning the political landscape of Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power.
The Taliban’s actions against Kohistani highlight their zero-tolerance policy for any form of political expression, including merely mentioning political parties. The group’s Ministry of Justice has dissolved the Office of Political Party Coordination and warned that any criticism of their regime will result in prosecution.
