Arzo Ahmadi, a jujitsu champion from Afghanistan, has been detained by Pakistani authorities just two days after winning a gold medal in an international competition held in Karachi. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the arrest occurred on Tuesday, June 6.
Ahmadi and her coach, Hafizullah Abbasi, were apprehended by the police of Sindh province in Pakistan at 6 a.m. local time upon their return to Islamabad. Ahmadi shared an audio message with KabulNow, mentioning that she possesses migration documents issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which support her status as a refugee. However, Pakistani authorities have reportedly refused to recognize these documents.
Efforts to secure Ahmadi’s release through the UNHCR have been unsuccessful so far, according to a source close to Ahmadi. The source also mentioned that communication with Ahmadi was cut off after 3:00 p.m. on the same day.
Ahmadi gained attention when she won the gold medal in her weight category during the international jujitsu competition in Karachi. The event featured athletes from the United States, Canada, and Pakistan.
In a recent interview with Radio Azadi, Ahmadi highlighted her nine-year involvement in sports and her flawless track record without any losses.
Ahmadi fled to Pakistan due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s sports in Afghanistan. Her arrest has raised concerns among Afghan citizens who have migrated to Pakistan, shedding light on the challenges they face.
