At least four sources confirm to Rukhshana Media on Thursday, November 10 that the Taliban intelligence arrested Farhat Popalzai, one of the founders of the Women’s Movement in Kabul three days ago.
One of Ms. Popalzai’s relatives also confirms by sending a message to Rukhshana Media that three days ago the Taliban intelligence arrested her and they have no clue where she has been taken to.
Fawzia Wahdat, one of the women’s rights activists, tells Rukhshaneh media that Ms. Popalzai left her a message on Tuesday, November 8, that she was arrested by the Taliban intelligence.
“After leaving a message on Tuesday, her phone is turned off,” Ms. Wahdat says.
She says that it is unclear where and how the Taliban arrested Ms. Popalzai and where she is being kept now.
According to Ms. Wahdat, Popalzai’s father is also in Taliban custody with her.
She adds that Ms. Popalzai’s family did not want her arrest to be covered by the media due to threats from the Taliban.
Ms. Farhat is a member of the Women’s Movement in Kabul who has frequently protested against the violation of women’s rights by the Taliban in Kabul.
The Taliban also arrested Zarifa Yaqubi, another women’s rights activist, and her four male colleagues on Thursday, November 3, from a press conference in Kabul
Zarifa Yaqubi’s arrest followed a wave of protests and criticism from the country’s citizens on social media.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, accused Zarifa Yaqubi and her colleagues of being provoked and supported by foreign countries to create distrust against the Taliban government in the country.