Women’s rights activist Zhulia Parsi and her son have been released from Taliban custody after nearly three months, sources close to the family said.
One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Rukhshana Media that Mrs Parsi and her son were released from prison on Monday.
Mrs Parsi was arrested from her home in Kabul’s Qala-e-Fatullah area by Taliban forces on September 27 with her eldest son.
She has been protesting for women’s rights and was a founding member of the Spontaneous Protest Movement.
The sources said Mrs Parsi’s physical and mental health is in a very poor condition which is due to the physical and mental torture she has endured under Taliban detention.
Mrs Parsi had previously been taken to the hospital by the Taliban due to her poor health and mental condition.
Mrs Parsi’s release comes less than a week after another women’s rights activist Neda Parwani was released from Taliban detention.
Ms Parwani was detained from her house September 19 and released December 13.
Other protesting women are still being held in Taliban detention without charge or trial, including activists Manizha Seddiqi and Parisa Azada.
Ms Seddiqi was arrested in Kabul’s Karte Naw area on October 9.
Ms Azada was arrested on November 14 in Kabul’s Dasht Barchi area.
Some women detained by Taliban forces, who have since been released, have shared with Rukhshana Media their experience of brutal treatment at the hands of the Taliban.
Their detentions have included psychological torment, coercion, threats, harm to family members, deprivation of water, food or sleep, and severe physical beatings that in some cases have resulted in broken bones.
It’s understood the Taliban uses these methods to force compliance out of fear and terror, and to suppress any criticism of its de facto government.
