Relatives of civil and human rights activist, Hamza Arifi Ulfat, expressed their concerns to KabulNow on Saturday, revealing that he has been held in Taliban’s detention for almost four months and they are in the dark regarding his condition and well-being.
According to them, Arifi is being held in the 40th directorate of the Taliban’s Intelligence Agency, and during his captivity, only one of his brothers was allowed to meet him.
The Taliban authorities remain silent about the reasons behind his arrest.
Arifi’s relatives say he was apprehended by Taliban intelligence on February 8 in the Dasht-e-Barchi in western Kabul.
Describing his actions as minimal, they asserted that his occasional criticisms of the Taliban on social media were the extent of his involvement.
According to Ulfat’s relatives, he holds a degree in law and political science from Rahnavard University in Mazar-i-Sharif City. Hailing from central Daykundi province, he devoted himself to the organization of free training courses for students in Daykundi and Mazar-i-Sharif. Additionally, he has been involved in civil and human rights activities.
Despite their efforts to release Mr. Arifi from Taliban custody, his relatives have encountered lack of cooperation from various organizations they approached for assistance.
Since the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan, the group has repeatedly targeted civil and human rights activists, resulting in the imprisonment of numerous individuals. Families of the detainees have reported the Taliban’s denial of visitation rights and a lack of transparency regarding their loved one’s well-being.
