Taliban Detain Former Afghan Soldier; Family Says He Risks Death Under Torture

Local sources in Panjshir province, along with family members of a former Afghan soldier, say he has been held by the Taliban for more than two and a half months after being arrested in Takhar province, and is allegedly being subjected to severe torture in detention.

The man, originally from Panjshir, served in the former Afghan security forces for around ten years, according to his relatives. The family says they initially had no information about his whereabouts following his arrest, until local contacts later informed them he had been transferred through multiple detention sites and is now being held in a prison in Panjshir.

A recently released detainee, cited by the family, claims the former soldier is being tortured twice daily, in the morning and afternoon. The source further alleges that the severity of the abuse has caused him to lose consciousness on several occasions.

The same source warned that, without urgent intervention from international human rights organizations, there is a serious risk he could die as a result of the alleged torture.

The family says the Taliban have denied all requests for in-person visitation, adding that individuals attempting to obtain information about his condition have reportedly been met with insults and humiliation.

They further state that the case has been registered through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and that they are seeking intervention from international organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

According to the family, the detainee was the sole breadwinner of the household, and his arrest has left them facing severe economic hardship and psychological distress. They are calling on international human rights bodies and the global community to take urgent action to ensure his safety and secure his release.